State College residents still have some options on where to find flu shots.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow Weis Markets, 560 Westerly Parkway, will host the chain's last clinic in State College.

Giant Food Stores, 2222 E. College Ave., has scheduled a clinic from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 26.

The Giant on North Atherton Street, 255 Northland Center, will offer shots from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 28.

Penn State students can be vaccinated from noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.

Centre Community Hospital is offering immunizations for diabetics.

Shots at all locations cost $15.

At Penn State's last clinic Nov. 5, University Health Services' supply of 620 shots was depleted an hour before the clinic was scheduled to end.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people take the vaccine in November because influenza activity can start in December, lasting until April every year.

Protection from the flu begins about two weeks after receiving the shot and can remain up to one year. A new shot is needed every fall.

Because flu viruses change often, the vaccine is updated every year to make it as effective as possible. "I always get one and it works," Arrelaine Dameron (graduate-chemistry) said.

Though the vaccine might not always protect against the virus, the CDC said that vaccinated people who get the flu often have a mild case.

The CDC recommends annual shots for people at risk for getting a serious case of the flu or complications and those in close contact with these people.

Those with serious health problems, such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes and anemia and those with a weakened immune system due to disease, treatment with steroids or cancer treatment also should be vaccinated. The CDC also suggests those living in crowded conditions, such as dorms, get shots to prevent an outbreak.

Rebecca Taranto, UHS allergy and immunization nurse, said those who are ill with upper respiratory symptoms should wait until they recover to get vaccinated. People who are allergic to eggs should not get shots, Taranto said, because the vaccine is grown on egg yolks.

Some people experience mild side effects, such as soreness or redness in the area of administration, and fever or aches soon after the shot for about one or two days.

Though rare, the shot can cause severe allergic reactions including difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, weakness, dizziness and possibly death. The reactions occur within a few minutes or hours after receiving the shot.