Nurses in Student Health Services administered the Monday, the first day the vaccine became available.

Students filled every seat in the clinic’s waiting room and lined the hallway awaiting their turns with the nurses.

“We’re really happy with the first day turnout,” said Student Health Services Director Alice Loper. “We hope every student and every faculty and staff member takes their seasonal flu shot this year.”

The seasonal flu vaccine helps protect from seasonal flu. It does not protect patients from the current pandemic flu virus H1N1 (Swine-related) flu.

“The H1N1 (swine-related) vaccine has not yet been released by the government,” Loper said. “When it is, we hope to receive the vaccine when our district health department in Macon receives its supply.”

The CDC will establish priority groups to receive the first vaccines.

“We will follow the required guidelines in distributing the H1N1 vaccine, Loper said. “We will notify the campus when we receive the that vaccine and information on who qualifies to receive it.”

The seasonal flu shot is strongly recommended this year.

“Our clinic is already very busy with sick students,” Loper said. “There may be a wait time involved to receive your vaccine, but we will get you in and out as quickly as possible. In a few weeks we will have the help of the nursing students in giving the vaccine.”

Georgia College students are vaccinated at no charge. The cost is $20 for faculty and staff.

For more information, call Student Health Services at (478) 445-5288.