Last year this time around kids were being protected from getting flu virus as they had to get back to school. As another academic year approaches, health officials do not want parents to stop taking precautions.

The World Health Organization declared the H1N1 flu pandemic officially over as it was far milder than anticipated this year. But youngsters were affected and the message now is that they must be vaccinated.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended a vaccination for babies who are six months old and more. It is not only the vulnerable group that must get the vaccination but also those who are not exposed to it but get affected easily.

Greg Reed, who runs Maryland's Center for Immunization on behalf of the CDC said, "We think it's a general positive that there was so much media attention on the importance of getting vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 flu. People are now aware of how serious the flu can be."

There were 11,700 deaths related to the H1N1 pandemic reported by CDC that peaked last October. About 45 lab-confirmed cases were reported by the Maryland health officials.

Charles Herndon, a spokesman for Baltimore County schools said, “We want to make sure the kids are as protected as we can get them.”