PHOENIX -- The war to stop the spread of the swine flu has hit a new battleground.

Maricopa County health officials took the H1N1 vaccine to Valley schools Monday.

Dr. Bob England with Maricopa County's Department of Public Health said the original plan was to start vaccinating thousands of school kids weeks ago, but a delay in getting the vaccine prevented that from happening.

"If we don't start right now we won't get it done between now and winter break and we absolutely have to do that," England said.

Monday, the long wait for H1N1 flu shots came to an end as Maricopa County Health Officials were finally able to start what they call a vital vaccination program.

Health officials are working to make sure 600,000 school kids in Maricopa County get vaccinated before winter break.

"This is our opportunity to get enough children vaccinated so that the disease doesn't have a chance to spread in our community," said England.

Robin Schugar said she's wanted to get her kids vaccinated for a while, but kept running into problems.

"Nobody has it yet," said Schugar. "I think my doctor's office had it, but they gave it to the high risk children. I didn't even know they had it, then they were out of it."

Both of Schugar's children, along with hundreds of others, got an H1N1 flu shot Monday.