The H1N1 vaccine arrived at the Cal Poly Health Center Thursday afternoon. The first shipment contained 3,500 vaccines.
There have been between 400 and 500 cases of influenza-like illness reported in the Health Center since the beginning of the school year.
Health Center officials have made plans to alter the hours of operation of the Health Center in order to make time to administer the vaccine.
Starting tomorrow, the Health Center will be open from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and then will open again from 1 to 4 p.m. for immunization. The schedule change will last through Thursday.
A student-ID card is the only thing needed to get the shot. The vaccine will not be given to anyone who is currently sick or allergic to eggs, because the vaccine is made of an egg base.
Dr. Martin Bragg, the director of Health and Counseling Services, said the Health Center is hoping to administer 1,000 shots per day to students.
Health Center officials knew the vaccine was on its way and were told they would receive a 48-hour notice prior to its arrival.
Another shipment of 3,500 vaccines is expected to arrive in the next week.
Students who have diabetes, asthma, heart problems or compromised immune systems are encouraged to come tomorrow all other students are encouraged to wait until Wednesday and Thursday, but will not be turned away on tomorrow even if they do not have these conditions.
Bragg’s advice for students is not to put off getting the shot.
The Health Center ordered 19,000 vaccines originally in hopes that everyone could be vaccinated.
More information can be found at www.afd.calpoly.edu/ehs/h1n1/.
Megan Hassler contributed to this report.