BIDDEFORD — Swine flu shots are now widely available and health officials are urging those who haven’t gotten the shot already to get vaccinated.

Southern Maine Medical Center and SMMC Visiting Nurses held a H1N1 vaccination clinic at Biddeford Middle School on Saturday.

Elaine Brady, executive director of SMMC Visiting Nurses, said the clinic had plenty of vaccines and was prepared to administer as many as 1,000 shots.

The clinic was open to those ages 3 and older, and was free for people who were not insured or whose insurance did not cover the shot.

“We just want to make sure that everyone who wants it can get it,” said Brady.

Initially, the vaccines were only available for those at high risk, such as children and young adults, but right before Christmas the supply became greater and now it is available for everyone.

The health agencies held a clinic earlier this month in Saco and vaccinated just fewer than 400 people that day, said Brady.

A third clinic will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13 at St. Martha’s Church in Kennebunk from 9 a.m. to noon.

Like the standard flu shot, the H1N1 vaccination is an annual shot.

Charge nurse Debbie Freeman said she would like to see a “herd immunity,” which means that if enough people get vaccinated and are immune to H1N1, the disease won’t stand a chance of spreading.

Freeman said that many people had been looking to get the vaccine for a while, and she was happy to be able to provide it for them.

“It’s nice to be able to do this,” she said.

Biddeford resident Leon Paquin joked with nurse Margy Gambell, keeping the conversation light as she quickly administered the shot in his arm.

Paquin said he heard about the clinic and decided to stop by before coaching eighth grade girl’s basketball.

“It’s a very good service,” he said.

Gambell said she enjoyed working at the clinic and helping the community.

Influenza strains such as H1N1 are more contagious than standard flu strains, and vaccination is critical in stopping the virus from spreading, according to a statement from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Now is an excellent time to get vaccinated, especially given the amount of vaccine available,” said Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine CDC. She said that although the disease surge is on the decline, the disease is expected to circulate for months, if not years, to come.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.