Boynton Health Service has set a goal of administering 22,000 vaccinations to fight against the flu this fall semester. Adding an incentive — a free Tootsie Pop — they are attempting to persuade people to get immunized in an effort to benefit individuals and the public as a whole.

It’s important to remember that the flu kills around 40,000 people a year, a much larger number than the recently hyped-up Ebola virus.

While getting immunized won’t completely rule out the possibility of catching the virus, it reduces the impact it can have on a large group of people.

We urge everyone to do their part and get a flu shot. It’s safe, quick and easy — and you even get a Tootsie Pop when it is over.