WORCESTER, Mass. -- Dozens lined up outside the Worcester Senior Center hoping to get the H1N1 vaccine Monday.
This was the city's first Swine Flu vaccine clinic and one of the first in the state. However, there was a limited supply of the vaccine.
Eligibility was determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
More than 1,000 people turned out to get the vaccine and the clinic had more than enough for those who showed up.
Those in line Monday night were eager to get vaccinated, having had some close run-ins with the swine flu.
"The girl that died in Rhode Island. That was my partner's daughter. She was 12. She was healthy. No underlying medical conditions and that spurred us to come out and wait in line rather than wait for it to come to our physician," said Robert Branca, who is getting his family vaccinated.
"We're going to Walt Disney next weekend and I just want to make sure, one of my friend got the H1N1 while she was there, and we just want to make sure everyone's safe," said Rosie McKenna, who was in line for the vaccine.
The clinic knew the turnout would be high. Seventy five volunteers from UMASS nursing school and the Red Cross offered their services to administer the shots.
"It was something that we definitely anticipated. We received a high volume of phone calls this morning through our customer service center, received 200 phone calls. The senior center had received over 100 phone calls themselves. So we definitely expected that we were going to have a great turnout today for the H1N1 vaccine," said
The clinic focused on vaccinating those who are most at risk for contracting and spreading the flu, which includes pregnant women, children, seniors, and healthcare workers.
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