ATLANTA -- Health officials say swine flu cases appear to declining throughout most of the U.S., but the specter of Thanksgiving gatherings makes it hard to predict what will happen next.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that reports of swine flu illnesses were widespread in 43 states last week, down from 46 the week before.

CDC officials also say reports have been increasing in a few states, including Maine and Hawaii. They say it's hard to know whether the epidemic has peaked or not, and many people will be gathering -- and spreading germs -- next week for Thanksgiving.

This weekend is a good time to get the vaccine. Four major metro counties are holding mass clinics Saturday to get as much of the vaccine out, as quickly as possible.

One such county is DeKalb. On the campus of the old DeVry University in Decatur, DeKalb County health officials were setting up Friday for what could be a huge turnout Saturday. They’ve set aside 2,500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine for DeKalb’s first mass clinic.

“Saturday is convenient for families and persons who have to work during the week. Sometimes, we cannot be accommodating at the clinics in terms of the hours,” said Bernard Hicks, DeKalb County’s Director of Emergency Preparedness.

“Yeah, everybody’s working. And when you work, you want to have your kids even more protected and yourself protected, so that’s great. I will tell all my friends about the clinic,” said Michelle Comstock of Clarkston. She and her 3-year-old daughter have already gotten the H1N1 vaccination.

Mother-of-two Stephanie Bray is thinking about getting her two sons vaccinated . “We’ve thought about getting it. Just haven’t really made a priority yet, I guess, to get over and do it,” she said.

DeKalb health officials will distribute the injectable version of the vaccine to people in high-priority groups, which include pregnant women, people ages 6 months to 24 years and people with chronic medical problems. The shots will be given at no charge while supplies last.

“When we get close to that quantity, we will announce where we are going to cut the line off,” said Hicks.

DeKalb's mass clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the former campus of DeVry University at 250 N. Arcadia Road in Decatur.