The windows start to frost over and you get the sniffles. Do you know what time of year it is? It is the flu season. Flu season starts early Oct. and can last as late as May. Despite this, we may be questioning why to get a flu shot.

“I believe the flu shot is important so you can prevent getting sick,” freshman Yasmine Guedira said. This is very true- the flu shot actually protects you from getting a potentially deadly viral disease called influenza.

The flu is highly contagious and consequently everyone in the community should get vaccinated so we can decrease the amount of people getting sick. It reduces the likelihood of being hospitalized due to the flu by 71 percent in adults and 74 percent in kids.

It is important to get vaccinated early because it takes approximately two weeks for it to start protecting you. The ideal time to get your flu shot is early fall, like around Sept.

“I do not get the flu shot annually because injecting stuff through a needle into me freaks me out,” Spanish teacher Mrs. Lisa Vanags said. Not too many people are fond of needles but that should not stop you.

Getting a flu shot is not the only way you can be vaccinated against the flu.

“I have never gotten the flu shot, instead I get the flu mist,” sophomore Grace Schwarzer said. The flu mist is a nasal spray that works in the same way as the flu shot.

Be aware that the flu mist arrives in clinics at a later date than the flu shot and potentially has more side effects. However, you can avoid the needle and you still get protection.

It is highly recommended to get vaccinated against the flu to keep you safe and healthy. Ask your doctor or visit a small clinic for the flu shot or the flu mist and have fewer sniffles this season.