With February and March marking the peak of influenza season, UCF Health Services is administering flu shots to protect the UCF community.

Health Services will host a clinic at the Health Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, and Thursday, Feb. 17.

Students and faculty and staff members with ID will receive a free flu shot in exchange for a non-perishable food item. Proceeds will go to the Knights Helping Knights Food Pantry.

At a health clinic earlier this month, Health Services administered 92 free flu shots and collected 132 items for the pantry.

“We want our students to be safe and healthy,” said Sheryl Gamble, Health Services’ associate director of administrative services and pharmacy director.

Getting a flu shot is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent the illness and protect others from it.

Other ways to stay healthy include covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; washing hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the day with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing; using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible; not touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and avoiding close contact with other sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit your contact with others.

For more information on UCF Health Services, visit https://shs.sdes.ucf.edu/ or call 407-823-2701.