Lethbridge College is encouraging students to do their part and get the flu shot this season.

Jan Pawlak, a nurse here on campus, said the only way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated.

“If you are not immunized you can pick up the virus and hand it off to people who are incredibly susceptible, or for some medical reason cannot be immunized against influenza,” said Pawlak.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the flu is highly contagious and spreads rapidly.

They also say the virus infects millions of Canadians every year and up to 8,000 people die due to flu-related complications like pneumonia.

However, the concern heard every year, is that the vaccine is no good for the strain going around, but Pawlak said that’s simply not the case.

“The World Health Organization does studies every year and they can only predict based on what flu strains are travelling around,” she said. “We may miss on one of them, but there are  three or four strains that you’re protected against with the flu shot and some immunity is better than none.”

But some students at the college are skeptical of the benefits.

Sam Sparling, a nursing student, only got the flu shot because it was mandatory for her program.

“I haven’t gotten it in the past, because I didn’t think it was necessary,” said Sparling.

Other concerns from students come from the possibility of unwanted side effects.

“Other then your arm might get a little sore, you cannot get influenza from the dead flu vaccines,” said Pawlak. “We’ve given over 700 flu shots this year and we’ve only had one person come in and say they didn’t feel well.

Despite these concerns, Pawlak remains adamant that students protect themselves against the virus.

Flu immunizations will be available for all students, staff and family members over the age of 18 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Tues. Nov. 3 and Fri. Nov. 6 in the Kiosk in Centre Core.

Individuals must bring their health care card and expect to wait 15 minutes after the immunization is given.