About 2,000 Cornellians flocked to Willard Straight's Memorial Room Sept. 25 for the first seasonal flu vaccination clinic of the semester and the largest in Gannett Health Services' history.

An early, busy H1N1 flu outbreak on campus and preparations for H1N1 vaccine have required a streamlined approach to campus clinics this fall. Gannett will offer fewer seasonal flu clinics than usual, but the length and locations are designed to be as efficient and convenient as possible.

The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the new H1N1 flu, but it will reduce the risk that immune systems will have to fight off two different influenza viruses this year. The H1N1 vaccine will be available in the United States sometime in October. Gannett will post an H1N1 vaccine schedule as soon as one is available. Gannett has said its clinical demand for H1N1 influenza care is declining.

With a Cornell ID, the seasonal flu vaccine is free to enrolled Cornell students, staff, faculty and retirees. The cost for student spouses, same-sex partners and children over age 14 is $30.

The next clinic is scheduled for Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Vet School Atrium, though it is possible the clinic will be delayed if adequate vaccine supplies do not arrive in time, says Sharon Dittman, Gannett's associate director for community relations.

"Due to challenges related to the production and dissemination of two different flu vaccines this fall, Gannett is unlikely to have significant advanced notice regarding the amounts, dates or frequency of deliveries of vaccine to Cornell," said Dittman. "At present, Gannett will schedule vaccination clinics throughout the fall semester to offer seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccine as supplies become available."

Employees are encouraged to watch for evolving information about flu vaccinations and clinic schedules on the Gannett Web site at http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/.