The Student Health Center begins offering free flu shots today.
The inoculations will be available through Friday or while supplies last.
The Health Center currently has 2,600 flu shots to administer, according to Julie Hupperich, associate director of finance and administrative services at the Health Center.
Hupperich said orders for the injections are based on the need from the previous year.
She said the Health Center ordered 3,100 inoculations this year, 500 of which will be used for athletes while the rest will be administered to students.
The flu shots are free to students, $10 for part-time students and $20 for faculty, staff, retirees and non-student spouses.
“This year is different because it is the first year we do not charge full-time students or those who paid the Student Health fee,” Hupperich said.
Hupperich said though flu shots will be available while supplies last, the Health Center has the ability to order more and receive the shipment over night.
The inoculation also protects from both seasonal flu and H1N1, a change from last year when a separate vaccine was required for each.
The Health Center has seen no cases of seasonal flu or H1N1 this season, Hupperich said.
“This is a welcome break for the campus community because we were inundated with H1N1 cases at this time last year,” Hupperich said
From January 2009 to January 2010 the Health Center treated 1,335 cases of both seasonal flu and H1N1, Hupperich said.
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Contact Grace Montgomery at [email protected]