A crowd of senior citizens gathered at the front doors of the Manteca Senior Center on Cherry Lane as early as 7:30 Tuesday morning to make sure they received the free flu shots on a first-come first-served.

Doctors Hospital of Manteca’s team of nurses and support staff began distributing the vaccine at 9 a.m. and continued until about 11:30, giving out a total of 308 injections to seniors from Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, French Camp, Escalon, Tracy and Stockton.

The turnout was believed to have been slightly larger than in the fall of last year, according to medical staff members that donated their time.

Included in those getting their injections were hospital staff workers.  The medical professionals noted that the seniors should have no fear of getting even a light case of the flu from the vaccine since it is not a live virus.

There were nine registered nurses and pharmacy manager Beneetta Maharaj along with a pharmacy student making up the team in the hospital’s community outreach program.

Senior Center Recreation Supervisor Brandy Clark voiced her appreciation for the hospital’s effort to serve the retired members of the community.

The hospital will continue with its community outreach on Nov. 7 when they will offer flu some 100 flu shots to the Del Webb Community on Union Road.