Free H1N1 flu vaccines were snapped up by about 200 people in the first two hours of the clinic's opening in Port Coquitlam's downtown Friday afternoon.

Eighteen Fraser Health nurses dispensed the vaccine, quieted crying children and explained possible reactions to an orderly group of people, including teens, toddlers, seniors and working professionals.

A couple of PoCo firefighters and police officers also took advantage of the free clinic to get their H1N1 shot.

A security guard managed the line-up and handed out numbers so people wouldn't lose their place in line and the atmosphere was festive and upbeat given the seriousness of the occasion. In the latest report, 30 people were reported to have died after contracting H1N1, although most the deceased had underlying conditions.

"I think it's a moral responsibility [to get a shot]," said Andrea Jordan, who was waiting in line with her husband, Cam, to get vaccinated. "It's one for all and all for one, isn't it," said Jordan, who admitted to being worried about the vaccine at first but was reassured after doing some research.

Jordan, who works as a noon-hour supervisor and has two children of her own, both of whom have been vaccinated, hopes the flu clinics will stop the spread of the flu and prevent a third wave of the virus.

"With the Olympics coming and people arriving, some maybe from countries where the vaccine isn't available, we have to do our part," she added.

Her comments were echoed by other people who stood in line for about 45 minutes to get their flu shot on the first day it was made available to the general public. Previously, only a select few were eligible for the vaccine.

One woman said she didn't want to pass on the virus to her aging mother. "She gives you cake and you give her the flu."

Adelia Adkins said she's been hard hit by the flu in the past and wants to avoid a repeat if she can. "I don't fight it very well," Adkins said.

Parents brought toddlers and pulled children out of school to get the flu shot, and one mom questioned why students weren't being vaccinated at school. More children would likely get the shot if it was more widely available, Laura Wright said. "If they did it at school, then I'd know they're done.

However, Bonnie Pengelly said it was no trouble to bring her nine-year-old son to the clinic and worth it because some members of her family suffer from asthma and everyone needs to be protected.

Another clinic will be made available tomorrow Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Poirier Community Centre, 630 Poirier St. and, as of Friday afternoon, there were no worries that health nurses would run out of doses, according to a worker who was collecting people's health information.

To find out the location of the nearest clinic or office, contact your local public health unit, doctor's office or call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1.

A list of locations for influenza shots is also available on the web at www.ImmunizeBC.ca.