Dallasites came from all over the county to receive the H1N1 vaccine at a free appointment-only clinic today at a Red Bird-area church. Though a few anxious souls began lining up at 6:30 a.m. before the clinic opened at 8, the queue moved quickly all day, with most people in and out in 30 minutes or less.

When Maria Luna called the hotline to make an appointment for her four children, she was told to expect a two-hour wait. “I even told my Dad to go home because we were thinking there would be a long line,” she said. But the process at Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church moved so quickly she had to call him to come back to pick up the family.

“It was real efficient,” she said. She said she was relieved to finally get the vaccine, especially for one of her children who suffers from asthma.

The clinic operated smoothly throughout the day thanks to about 60 medical professionals, volunteers and county workers who made appointments for some 2,000 residents and then shepherded them through the process.

Though the clinic was only for those who made appointments, some family members who accompanied others were able to get the vaccine as well, said Blanca Cantu, public information officer for Dallas County Health and Human Services.

Vaccines were limited, however, to those in groups designated as priorities by the federal government, including pregnant women, those who live with or care for children younger than six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, young people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and those between the ages of 25 and 64 who have chronic health problems.

Three public health clinic locations in Dallas, Irving and Farmers Branch will be open on Monday as part of Dallas County’s effort to make the H1N1 vaccine available to the public.

Residents in the priority groups may make an appointment Monday and Tuesday by calling 214-819-6001. The locations are 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, in Dallas; 440 S. Nursery Road, in Irving; and 2774 Valwood Parkway in Farmers Branch.