SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County residents are noticing how easy it is to now receive the swine flu vaccine, 10News reported.

For several months, getting the H1N1 vaccine in the county was not easy. Residents had to be in a group county health officials considered high-risk. As recently as two weeks ago, 10News crews were there as hundreds of people waited for hours in the rain in Rancho Penasquitos just to get their shot.

Now, the vaccine is available at private clinics around the county, and as of Thursday, at all 25 Walgreens stores throughout the county.

"There were none available in Coronado where I live," Tom Tasker told 10News.

Tasker went online and then on the phone, and then he found what he was looking for at the Walgreens store in Point Loma.

"I called here and they said we have plenty. Come anytime," said Tasker, who added he wasn't just getting the vaccine for himself. "I also feel like I'm protecting others, like my wife and anyone else I'm in contact with."

10News also spoke to Regina Gomez at the same Walgreens. She's a member of Kaiser Permanente health care and could've received the shot for free at one of their facilities, but she didn't want to take a chance on having to wait in a long line.

"My husband called yesterday and they told us they would have it today," said Gomez.

"So, it was worth the $18?" asked 10News' John Carroll.

"Absolutely, absolutely," said Gomez.

The store manager at Walgreens Point Loma told 10News that as the availability of the H1N1 vaccine has become more widespread, he's seen a big decrease in sales of items like hand sanitizer, face masks and latex gloves.

The county lifted restrictions on the vaccine last Tuesday, so it's now available to anyone who wants it.