PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A group of mostly elderly folks rolled up their sleeves on Wednesday at the Philadelphia Senior Center, Broad and Lombard Streets, at the start of the city’s seasonal flu vaccination program.

One senior citizen remembered this time last year, when fears of swine flu sent people searching for a shot of the super-scarce H1N1 (“swine flu”) vaccine:

“Last year, I made an appointment with my doctor.  They called and said they didn’t have any (vaccine).  That’s why this year, since I’m here for sewing, I thought I’d come over and get it.”

Dr. Caroline Johnson, director of the Philadelphia Health Department’s Division of Disease Control, says there are no shortages on the supply front this year.   She says the vaccine is readily available in most private physicians’ or health care providers’ offices:

“But for those who don’t have a fixed site to receive care, the city runs a number of vaccination clinics.”

The free shots are administered at all district health centers as well as some senior and recreation centers and churches around the city.

Unlike last year, when people got separate seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations, this year they’re combined in a single shot.

Reported by Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio.

Photo by Steve Tawa