It’s getting about that time again, you know when you start adding the layers of clothing, going to football games, and getting ready for Fall Break, but don’t forget what else cold weather brings: the flu. Students are not the only ones that have started thinking about this year’s flu season. UTM Student Health is now waiting for their shipment of flu vaccines.

Shannon Deal, Director of Student Health, said Student Health is expecting to receive their flu vaccine shots around mid-October. Even though they are not sure of an exact date, Deal said they will be making further announcements to about date and times it will be available. Students will be the first to receive the flu shot before it becomes available to faculty and staff. Even though Deal was not sure of the exact price of the vaccine, she estimated that it would cost around $20.

Student Health plans to extend the hours that a physician will be available at Student Health during the cold and flu season this year. Student Health is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a physician is available from 9 a.m. to 1 Monday-Friday for all students and staff.

Last year here at UTM students and staff didn’t report a great number of flu cases, but in 2004 an excessive amount of cases were reported. Deal reports that between 10 to 12 cases were coming into Student Health each day.

The flu vaccine is the No. 1 way to prevent the flu. Even though the vaccine does not contain a live virus and cannot cause the flu, it causes antibodies to develop in the body which provides protection against infection from the flu. The flu vaccine is 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu in healthy people under 65 years of age.

In previous years, Student Health has had a limited supply of flu vaccines. Deal said since UTM does not qualify as “high-risk,” UTM does not typically receive a high number of the vaccine.

There are many signs and symptoms of the flu, which often appear suddenly. Symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees or higher, shaking chills, body aches, headaches, loss of appetite, runny nose, and dry, sore throat.

Student Health can be reached at 881-7750.