The University of Houston Health Center will provide flu vaccinations to current students, faculty and staff who meet the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) priority list. This criteria includes people age 65 and over, pregnant women and adults with chronic metabolic diseases or weakened immune systems. The complete list can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/0405shortage.htm.

The center also will provide the vaccine to UH healthcare workers involved in direct patient care,such as the College of Optometry and clinics operated by the College of Pharmacy and the Department of Psychology.

Please note that the health center will not give the vaccine to children or spouses of faculty, staff and students.

The policy change comes in response to an appeal by government health officials that flu shots be given only to high-risk groups because of a national shortage of the vaccine.

The vaccine costs $12 and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis starting this afternoon until supplies run out.

Vaccination hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.