With the peak of flu season looming, Marion County Public Health is urging individuals to get their flu shots. Each February, a peak in the amount of flu cases is seen throughout Iowa and the rest of the country. Nurse Judi Van Hulzen with the department tells KNIA/KRLS News no matter what time of year it is people need to get their flu shot. Van Hulsen says the vaccine can take up to two weeks to get into your system. She says the flu however can last between seven to ten days and is an upper respiratory virus that can cause pneumonia and death if not treated. According to Van Hulzen and the health department, no vaccine is 100% effective but there are many reasons to get vaccinated for influenza. Even with vaccine effectiveness in the range of 30 to 60%, influenza vaccination prevents millions of illnesses and tens of thousands of hospitalizations each year. When it comes to the flu, Van Hulzen says to remember the three C’s: cover your cough, clean your hands, and contain germs by staying home when ill.