Parishioners at the Church of St. William and other Merrimack Valley Catholic churches may notice something different on Sunday.

The Archdiocese of Boston announced this week that it is allowing priests to suspend the distribution of wine during Communion as a precaution because of the recent flu outbreak, reported The Boston Globe.

Churches were also notified that parishioners could exchange a sign of peace by “bowing to nearby prisoners instead of shaking hands,” reported The Globe.

Earlier this week, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared a state of health emergency because of the flu outbreak and some nearby communities have also ran out of flu vaccine.

Here’s information about whether to get your flu shot locally and more information about the vaccine.