While this year’s flu shot will still protect against the H1N1 strain that causes swine flu, it will also protect against a new influenza A (H3N2) strain, the Victoria lineage and influenza B strain, the Yamagata lineage.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), although the flu season last year set a new low record in terms of severity and number of cases of influenza, flu seasons vary each year.

CHS nurse Kandyce Hardie said she recommends that students receive the flu shot, especially because of the new strains.

“It sounds like you’re only changing two strands, but those are two important strands because those were two strands that made a lot of people ill last year,” Hardie said. She said by getting the flu shot, students will not catch last year’s flu strands and be in school more often.

To avoid the flu, junior Amy Groswald said she plans to get vaccinated this year. “I get the flu shot every year anyway, but I’m extra glad I’m getting it this year because of the new strains in it,” Groswald said. “I feel like if everyone in the school were to get a flu shot, attendance would be a lot better.”