Although the last time she had influenza was "a long time ago," University College freshman Tiffany Lollis distinctly remembers being sick.

"I was tired, achy, headache, fever," Lollis said.

Lollis may get a free flu vaccination at Goddard Health Center this year if she doesn't forget and has the time, she said.

Getting a flu vaccination may be a wise investment for some students, especially those who live in the dorms, OU press secretary Jeff Hickman said.

The first cases of the flu in Oklahoma were confirmed Wednesday by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said Dorothy Cox, assistant in the immunization division at OSDH.

A total of four cases of Type-B Hong Kong flu were confirmed, three in Texas County and one in Payne County.

"It's not too late to get your flu shot because the disease usually reaches its peak in Oklahoma after December," said Dr. Leslie Beitsch, state health commissioner.

Symptoms of the flu include fevers above 101 degrees, chills and body aches and can last anywhere from three to 10 days, Cox said.

Flu vaccinations are available at Goddard with no charge for students and a fee of $15 for faculty and staff, said Dr. William Wayne, Goddard's director of health services.

The flu shot takes approximately two weeks to become effective, Cox said.

"We recommend anybody 65 and older automatically get a flu shot," Cox said. "If you're a normal healthy individual under 65, we don't strongly recommend you get one."

Along with the elderly, state health officials encourage high-risk individuals to get vaccinated.

High-risk individuals include people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes or breathing disorders, such as asthma, pregnant women in their second or third trimester during the flu season and health care workers, Cox said.

"We have students who would be considered high risk," Wayne said. "Each person has to determine for themselves if they want to (get a flu shot)."

Goddard vaccinates approximately 2,500 to 3,000 people for the flu each year, Wayne said.

DETAILS

Event:

Free flu vaccinations for students

Where:

Goddard Health Center
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