Denton County’s first swine flu clinic drew a steady crowd of people seeking a dose of prevention.

The free clinic at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex was the first of the county’s three clinics for the public.

DRC/Barron Ludlum

Patricia Hernandez gets a dose of the swine flu nasal mist vaccine at the Denton County Health Department clinic conducted at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex on Tuesday.

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Jack Redman, a Denton High School special education teacher, stood outside among those who arrived early.

“It’s a positive thing. I had the other influenza shot and my kidney doctor suggested it,” said Redman, who is diabetic. “If it helps keep you from getting sick and the ultimate — dying — it’s a good thing.”

County health director Dr. Bing Burton watched over the clinic as the crowd of young children, middle-aged adults and elderly filed in, filled out paperwork and sat down at stations for their shots.

“You never know what to expect. We didn’t know whether to plan for 1,000 or 5,000,” Burton said.

By day’s end, the county gave out 630 doses.

The clinic was held to vaccinate county residents in high-risk groups as mandated by the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those groups include:

• pregnant women,

• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,

• health care and emergency medical services personnel,

• people ages 6 months through 24 years of age, and

• people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for swine flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Burton said health officials were leaning “very much on the honor system” for those coming to get vaccinated.

“We’re seeing people that seem to fit in the risk groups,” he said.

Burton would not say if he anticipated turning anyone away.

“All the information from the CDC and state says we need to emphasize risk groups and that is what we’re doing,” he said.

Officials are not worried about being able to vaccinate all who need it, Burton said.

“The supply of vaccine is entirely adequate at this time. We’re getting more vaccine in almost every week,” he said. “I’m very encouraged. There are lots of people that want to be vaccinated, so we’re going to make that happen.”

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .