lth Center will be hosting a free flu shot clinic on Nov 16.

The clinic is free for everyone. There are 2000 vaccines and it is first come first serve. It starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 12 p.m.

“It is definitely a good idea for college students to get vaccinated,” said Sharon Manakas, the Health Center coordinator and RN.

The flu shots will be given in an area set up on lower campus.

The vaccine is offered to anyone who stops by. It is not just limited to students and staff. This is not something offered every year at Moorpark College. The health center was asked to host the event by the Ventura County Public Health Agency.

“I like getting flu shots every year,” said Daniel Flickinger 20, an undecided major. “I don’t like getting the flu and these shots really help.”

Campus police and Moorpark College nursing students have all volunteered their time to help out with the free clinic.

According to the Center for Disease Control, it is recommended that children 6 months to 5 years old should receive a flu shot as well as people over the age of 50, although anyone who wants to get flu shot can receive one.

College students are prone to high stress levels making it easier to get sick as well as have a harder time recovering from illness.

Flu shots are offered at various places including Costco and can cost anywhere from $10 to $30.

“Most places you have to pay for a flu shot,” said Flickinger. “Here it is free.”

The flu can cause mild to severe illness and can even lead to death. There are 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations on average per year in the U.S. Most of the deaths are people over the age of 65.

Flu season can start as early as the beginning of Oct and last as long as into late May.

The Center for Disease control recommends getting vaccinated in Oct or Nov but you can get a flu shot as late as December.

For more information about the flu and flu shots log on to www.cdc.gov/flu