The Northern Health unit was perhaps the most popular place to be this morning, if the line up around the block was any indication.

Hundreds of people lined up around the building and crammed into the foyer to wait for their H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine shot this morning. The auditorium has 16 nurses today filling out paperwork and administrating the vaccine shots, while more staff are organizing people waiting in line.

The clinic opened for the first time in the community today at 10 a.m., and the waiting began early. Terrace resident Betty Ann Wall got into the line up at 8:30 a.m. this morning and had to wait almost two hours before receiving her shots.

Angela Keats had been waiting since 9:15 a.m. and finally made it into the jam-packed foyer at 10:30 a.m. She was number 290 in the line up. She decided on wearing a mask "because we're in such a tight crowd," she said, explaining that people may already be infected and she wanted to protect herself. Health staff were handing out masks at the front door.

The daytime drop-in clinics run until 6 p.m. today, and run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday Nov. 5, Monday Nov. 9 and Tuesday Nov. 10. There is also a clinic this Friday Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While there were many people today lined up for their vaccination, it is unknown if the supply is enough for the demand. Northern Health communications officer Eryn Collins said she's unsure of the number of vaccines allotted to Terrace.

“I don't have it broken down by community,” she said. “The priority is getting the clinics taken care of....Our staff is completely focused on getting these clinics running and getting people immunized.”

She stressed that the health authority wants people who need the vaccine the most to come and get it. These first clinics are being offered for those under 65 years of age with chronic illnesses, or pregnant women.

Staff were asking those lined up today if they have chronic diseases, and some not in the high risk category were told to come back at another time.

“The vaccine is coming, and we need to vaccinate by priority,” Collins said, adding that Northern Health will be getting more vaccine as the days and weeks go on.