The Department of Health's free weekend H1N1 flu vaccination clinics are now open to New Yorkers aged 25 to 64 with underlying medical conditions.

For the first time, health officials are asking adults with asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung conditions, kidney failure, or a weakened immune system to get the free swine flu vaccine.

As in previous weekends, the H1N1 flu vaccine is also available for free to anyone between the ages of four to 24, pregnant women and people in close contact with newborns.

Given the increase in eligible people, the line at the Manhattan New School on the Upper East Side wrapped around the block and some people waited in the rain for more than two hours.

Health officials say long lines shouldn't stop New Yorkers from getting the vaccine, and many waiting in line agreed.

"I think it's pretty important because the H1N1 seems to be attacking young children particularly and the death rate has been pretty high," said Beth Haroules, whose daughter received the vaccine.

"I came because neither my primary care or my allergy doctor can get the vaccine," said an adult asthma sufferer. "And because I have asthma, my allergy doctor wants me to get it."

"Blake was told if he behaved as a good boy for over an hour he would definitely get a nice toy when we get home," said a man accompanying a child who received the vaccine.

Anyone under age 18 must have a signed parental consent form, and anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

"Our clinics are designed to handle up to 500 people per hour.... People should come on down," said City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley. "There are clinics in all five boroughs, there's seven clinics [open] today and tomorrow, and [the vaccine's available for] three additional weekends."

The clinics are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The DOH's weekend vaccination program runs through December 13.

Meanwhile, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer criticized DOH officials Saturday for failing to vaccinate senior citizens for the seasonal flu.

Two month past the start of the flu season, Stringer said the city has yet to provide its first flu vaccine to seniors.

Last year, the Health Department began seasonal flu vaccinations in September.

DOH officials plans to offer the flu vaccine at 150 senior centers across the city, but Stringer said two years ago the city offered the vaccine at nearly 800 locations.

The borough president said the city's response to the H1N1 virus has played a part in the delays.

"The notion that we just throw up our hands and let seniors fend for themselves is not right. We have to tackle both of these health issues at the same time," said Stringer. "Two-thousand seniors die each year from influenza. We have the opportunity now to recognize that the long delay, starting a flu shot program for seniors in November, is a grave mistake."

DOH officials say the demand is not high enough. Last year, less than two percent of seniors were vaccinated in senior centers.

For more information on flu clinic locations and hours, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/flu.