Students can now receive a flu shot at Campus Health Service, after they recently received 1,600 doses of the anti-viral vaccine, officials said.

The flu can hit in the fall and spring seasons, and with flu activity increasing in Pima County it is important for students at high risk to get the vaccine.

Students who may be at high risk of exposure include people with asthma, heart disease, immune system disorder, diabetes and cancer. Students who are in health professions or who are around children under the age of 6 months old are urged to get the vaccine.

Students wishing to get vaccinated need not be at high risk for the flu, Campus Health is giving the shots to any student who wants one, said Alejandra Olvera, Campus Health receptionist.

Lisette LeCorgne, a nurse practitioner at the urgent care center in Campus Health, said the earlier students get vaccinated, the better. Due to the shortage of shots this year, most people are not immunized, but now is their chance.

"We taught people to get their immunizations around Halloween. Even though we are late in the game it's still a worthwhile venture to come and get the flu shot," LeCorgne said.

Molly Leimontas, a psychology sophomore, did not expect her mother, a public health nurse, to bring her home a dose of the vaccine over the winter break.

"She can just bring it home if she wants," Leimontas said of her mother. "She knew I wouldn't go get it on my own."

Leimontas suffers from asthma, and the flu can be a dangerous mix for an asthma sufferer.

"My mom asked me to please take it," Leimontas said. "It didn't hurt or anything."

In October 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention limited the supply of the flu vaccine after a large distributor of U.S. influenza vaccines, Chiron Corp., was found to have a contaminated batch of the shot.

British officials closed the manufacturing plant in Liverpool, England, after finding that inspections of the plant did not meet guidelines.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services Web site, the contaminated batch was never distributed to providers in the United States. This means that all available vaccines are safe for use.

The Chiron Corp. influenza vaccine, known as Fluvirin, was infected with Serratia marcescens, a bacterium that causes urinary tract infections, infects surgical wounds and can trigger pneumonia, usually in hospital patients. Serratia is a common contaminant in labs. The bacterium lurks in damp places and can also be found on bathroom walls.

If Chiron Corp. does not reduce contamination in time to produce vaccinations for next year's flu season, the plant could lose its U.S. license, according to a Dec. 9 warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration.

In December, British authorities gave Chiron Corp. a second suspension, which could shut it down until April.

Ben Martin, a business and East Asian studies sophomore, said he received a flu shot three years ago and had an allergic reaction to it. He had to go to the hospital twice after he had a respiratory attack. He said students should still get the shot, even though he cannot.

"Everyone who can get one should get it, I'd get it if I weren't allergic," Martin said.

Elin Sigurdson, an undeclared freshman, said she thought it was too late to get the vaccine, but said she will now that Campus Health has an abundance.

"The flu sucks, I might consider getting a flu shot now that Campus Health has them," Sigurdson said.

For now, safe immunizations are still available at Campus Health for $15. Services are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students are urged to get the shot as soon as possible because the vaccine takes 10 to 14 days to take full effect.