Hundreds of people braved a chill drizzle Friday for a chance to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The Benton County Health Department set up a free vaccination clinic in the gym at Lincoln School, 110 S.E. Alexander Ave., starting at 4 p.m.

Many people showed up early to make sure they'd be able to get in. By 5 p.m. the line snaked from the gymnasium around the side of the school, across the playground and back out to Alexander Avenue.

Perhaps 1,000 people were patiently waiting their turn - even though only about 600 doses of flu vaccine were available.

"Right now I'm at 417," reported Marla Hill, a Health Department worker whose job was to screen people for eligibility, from a point less than halfway through the line. She kept a running tally on a hand-held counting device.

Only people in priority groups were eligible to get the vaccine, which was available either as an injection or a nasal mist. The target groups include anyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, people caring for infants, health care providers and emergency responders.

Like people all across the country, some Corvallis residents have been frustrated by a shortage of vaccine. Manufacturing delays have slowed delivery even as the previously unknown flu strain spreads.

A little-publicized H1N1 clinic last week at the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis drew so many people that there wasn't enough vaccine to go around, and that appeared likely to happen this time as well.

"It's inadequate, obviously," said Marisabel Gouverneur, public health program manager with the Benton County Health Department. She said the county was distributing the vaccine as quickly as it came in and would continue to do so.

"Our goal is not to have any sitting around," she said.

Lindsey Haggis, a Sweet Home resident who teaches in the Philomath School District, was among the throngs waiting in line Friday. Haggis got her 2-year-old son vaccinated recently at a clinic in Philomath, but they ran out of shots before she could get one. On Friday she came to Lincoln School with her husband, Colin, so both could get inoculated.

Though they're in the wrong age group, they're eligible for a shot because they have a 5-month-old daughter to look after.

"We're the caretakers," Lindsey Haggis explained.

Erin McMullen, a pregnant Philomath resident, said she already had her shot but she's been "stalking the Benton County health site" on the Internet to find a flu clinic for her 2-year-old son, Emmit Gaskey.

Her partner, Aaron Gaskey, said the couple's biggest worry was for their young son and their unborn child.

"Normally the flu isn't a big concern, but with her being pregnant and the little one, we decided to get shots and try to stay healthy."

Bennett Hall can be reached at 758-9529 or bennett.hall@lee.net.