Health Center sets up walk-in flu shot clinics

Flu shots are available to students starting today. The Health Center is offering the shots through walk-in clinics set up around campus, as well as by appointment at the Health Center. The cost is $8, charged to bursar bills, and vaccines are available to all students.\nAnne Reese, director of Health and Wellness Education at the health center, said shots are typically given in late October or early November, but manufacturing and distribution problems across the nation caused a delay in the vaccine's arrival. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 5 million doses of vaccine are now available.\nIt's definitely not too late to get a flu shot, Reese said.\n"Flu season usually goes from December to early spring," she said. "So there's plenty of time to get the flu."\nThe CDC reports influenza activity is increasing, although it is lower than it has been in previous years. During 14 of the last 18 years, the flu season peaked in January or later, according to the CDC. \nDespite some myths, Reese said getting the vaccine does not cause a person to contract the flu.\n"It's an inactivate process," she said. "It's not possible to get the flu from the vaccine."\nReese said it takes about two weeks after a person receives the shot to get full immunity.