6:38 p.m., Oct. 1, 2010----This week flu shots will be available for students from noon-5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 12-13, in Laurel Hall. Shots also will be available at the same times on Friday, Oct. 22, and Tuesday, Nov. 2.

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The charge for students for the seasonal influenza is $12, which will be charged to the student account after the vaccine is administered.

Student can get instructions on making an appointment online by using this link [http://www.udel.edu/shs/fluclapt.html].

Students who have any problems making an appointment should call (302) 831-2226, Option 1, during regular business hours.

Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease, which can spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing and can lead to pneumonia and be dangerous for people with heart or breathing conditions. Flu vaccine is the best way to prevent infection, but it is necessary to be re-vaccinated each year because flu viruses change each year.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination as soon as vaccine is available. While flu is unpredictable, it's likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses and regular seasonal viruses will cause illness in the U.S. this flu season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for protection to develop, and protection can last up to a year.

Persons who have a severe allergic reaction to eggs or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should check with their doctors before getting a flu shot. All doses are thimerosal-free.

Those getting vaccinations should eat before coming in for their immunizations, and they should arrive at least 10 minutes early for their appointments. Students will need to remain at Student health Service for 20 minutes after the immunization.