The Fairfax County Health Department administered 21,000 H1N1 vaccines over two Saturday clinics held Oct. 24 and Nov. 7 at the Fairfax County Government Center, according to a written statement by Fairfax County chairman Sharon Bulova (D).

The county limited its vaccinations to people considered most at risk for developing complications if they contract the H1N1 strain of the influenza. These groups included children and pregnant women.

A few residents were so anxious to get the vaccine that they camped out before the Oct. 24 clinic to ensure a good place in line. By 9 a.m. on the day of the first clinic, the line of people for the vaccination stretched from the government center door almost to Fairfax Corner shopping center about two blocks away, said Bulova.

The second clinic, on Nov. 7, ran more smoothly, with a very short wait for people who came to be vaccinated after 3 p.m.

According to Bulova, the county medical corps put in 3,900 hours of service, which costs $96,292 per clinic. The Health Department call center is currently averaging 250 per day from the public about the H1N1 flu.