INDIANAPOLIS -- Elementary students in 10 Marion County schools were vaccinated Monday, the first day of an effort to make the H1N1 vaccine available to all the county's students for free.

The Marion County Health Department began administering the vaccines to schools throughout Indianapolis Public Schools, and schools in Pike, Perry, Washington, Warren and Wayne townships, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The vaccinations began at about 9:30 a.m. at IPS School No. 69, at 34th Street and Keystone Avenue.

Students were brought in class-by-class. Vaccinations were only given to those whose parents filled out a consent form from the health department.

Some took the shot without shedding a tear and those who fit the guidelines received nasal spray in lieu of the needle.

Many students were eager to get vaccinated because of what they had heard about H1N1.

"So I won't get sick," said Traquan Bank, echoing the sentiments of Kenneth Cole, who said, "So I won't have the flu."

Children age 9 or younger are supposed to get two doses, but the Health Department isn't sure if workers will come back to each school or if there will be mass clinics for schools.

Out of 427 students at IPS No. 69, 163 turned in permission slips to get vaccinated, a number that wasn't surprising to Sue Fries, the school's principal.

"It's a choice for the parent. Some of the parents wanted to take the kids to the health clinic themselves or be with them," she said.

The Health Department would like to vaccinate as many children as possible before Christmas break.

After going through the county's elementary schools, the focus will turn to middle and high schools.

Students in Lawrence and Franklin townships, along with Beech Grove, will be vaccinated, but not during school hours.

Plans are still being finalized for those schools and for private and parochial schools.