The first 500 students and 500 faculty and staff to the University Recreation Center special events room Wednesday will receive a free flu shot compliments of the Rec Center.The flu vaccination will be free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis at this year’s Mini Health Fair, said Steve Kintigh, director of Campus Recreation.

The Rec Center purchased the vaccination doses with money from a special fund, Kintigh said.

Those who miss the health fair can purchase the vaccination for $20 at the Brown-Lupton Health Center, said Marilyn Hallam, assistant to the director of health services.

The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington and Southern Methodist University are all offering the vaccination through their health services offices with prices ranging from $15 to $25 a shot.

SMU has already given out about 2,000 shots since Oct. 1 and will continue until they run out of doses, said Patrick Hite, executive director of health services at SMU.

Hite said although the number of vaccinations stays fairly consistent from year to year, many people do not feel the need to get one when it is 85 degrees Fahrenheit outside and they are feeling good.

Kintigh said this is the second year the Rec Center has sponsored a free flu vaccination clinic, however, he said, this is the first year students have been included.

Kintigh said last year the program vaccinated 255 faculty and staff. Some students don’t feel the flu vaccine is worth it.

Colin Douglas, sophomore history major, said the shot is an option for him.

“I have not (had the flu shot), because I haven’t needed it, but if it were free, I’d probably go get it,” he said.

Students and faculty who plan to take advantage of the free shots must show their TCU ID cards.