Marshall University Student Health and the Cabell-Huntington Health Department will be providing free flu vaccines for Marshall University students.

Shots will be administered at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and again on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Don Morris Room in the Memorial Student Center.

1,000 shots will be made available to Marshall students, faculty and staff. Students must bring their student IDs to receive the vaccine.

Flu season is usually considered to be from Oct. to May. The amount of people sick with the flu is the highest usually from Jan. or Feb.

“Anyone who lives in closed housing or anyone living in the dorms should have it because you are exposed to it so easily from anyone you live with,” Doctor Jeanne Widener said. “So anybody living in the dorms is at high risk for the flu.”

On average, 200,000 Americans are hospitalized because of flu complications each year.

The flu is an airborne illness that spreads by sneezing, coughing or even talking.

Flu symptoms include a high fever, headache, sore muscles, runny nose, diarrhea and vomiting.

Matthew Prandoni can be contacted at [email protected].