Ready or not, it’s that time of year again. It’s flu season.

Though influenza does not normally peak until the winter months, the time to protect ourselves is now.

Influenza can cause more than just a little inconvenience for those who are immunocompromised, pregnant, over the age of 65 or under the age of 5. It can be deadly. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate the flu kills between 12,000 and 52,000 annually.

The CDC recommends a flu vaccine for anyone older than 6 months every year. But fewer than half of American adults plan to get one.

As winter ends in the southern hemisphere, the flu season there is a harbinger for what could happen across the U.S in coming months — and it’s been described as the worst in five years. Compounding that is the fact that, without the precautions that have been taken — sometimes mandated — over the past two years due to COVID-19, the spread of flu could be even worse.

Just as it is important to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, we must also do our part to protect ourselves and those around us from the flu. And, as the Immunization Network points out, those COVID-19 shots do not protect against the flu. The flu shot is an extra step, but well worth it.

Meanwhile, all those same protocols for stemming the spread of COVID-19 apply for the flu, too. Wash and sanitize your hands frequently, keep your distance, stay home if you are sick. Surely to goodness we’ve developed better habits on that front by now.

Following them, and getting vaccinated against the flu, will save lives. As a bonus, both vaccines could also keep you from getting sick and feeling just awful. Take care of yourself and those around you.