The Health Education and Resource Center will be giving out free flu shots to all of Eastern’s campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Shots for students will be in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, and shots for faculty, staff and retirees will be in the Bridge Lounge.

Amanda Harvey, assistant director for health education and promotion, said she is looking forward to seeing students participate in this event for their health.

“Each year, we hope to vaccinate at least 10 percent of the campus population,” Harvey said. “The more individuals we can vaccinate, the less chance the flu will be spread.”

Harvey said more than 500 individuals received their flu shot last year.

According to the Health Education and Resource website, flu cases are diagnosed mostly in the winter months, typically November through February, because the body’s immune response from vaccination wears off over time.

Also, flu viruses change every year and the formation of the vaccine is updated with these changes, so a vaccine that was administered years before may have drastically changed because the virus itself is getting stronger and less resistant to previous vaccines.

Symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees or higher, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose and persistent headaches.

Although symptoms may not all come at once, they are all considered serious concerns.

If symptoms are getting worse in a week or more, students should seek immediate medical attention.

Krystal Orl, a senior health studies major who works at the HERC, said last year’s turnout was great and this year should be even bigger.

“Because we’re all in such close quarters we should pay more attention to our health,” Orl said.

Student flu shots are provided by Health Services. All students will need their Panther Card to receive shots.

Faculty, staff and retiree shots are provided by the Coles County Health Department, and they will be asked to display insurance.

Sharita Harris can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].