The University of Colorado at Boulder聮s Wardenburg Health Center will offer meningitis and flu vaccinations to CU-Boulder students on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Recreation Center.
The immunizations will be available on a walk-in basis from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Meningococcal meningitis is a brain and spinal cord infection that can be fatal in 10 percent of the cases. College freshmen, particularly those living in residence halls, have a slightly increased risk of getting the disease. The vaccination protects against the bacterial form of meningitis and is effective against four of the five most common strains.
The meningitis vaccine is $75 and a flu shot is $10. The health center will accept Visa, MasterCard or will bill to a student account with a valid student ID.
After the Oct. 24 clinic, flu shots or meningitis vaccinations will be available at the Wardenburg Health Center from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on a walk-in basis for CU-Boulder students, faculty and staff.
Protection from a meningitis vaccine lasts three to five years, but a flu vaccine is needed every year. The best time to get the flu vaccination is in October and November.
Flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccinations, but should not be given within 48 hours of receiving an allergy shot. The flu vaccine does not contain live viruses and recipients cannot get influenza from a vaccination.
For more information, call the Wardenburg Health Center Meningitis Information line at (303) 492-8741 or visit .