Whatever you call it, whether it is H1N1 or the swine flu, the threat this fall and winter is real and the call to action is loud.

The death of a student in Windsor, due to complications from the well-publicized strain of flu, should serve as a reminder to everyone this virus is not to be treated lightly and that efforts to vaccinate the population must be followed.

Sometime this fall, swine flu vaccinations will be available around the country and recent studies have shown it will likely take only one shot to administer the vaccine rather than the two originally thought.

But regardless of how many shots, boosters or doctors visits are necessary, it is up to each and every one of us to get the vaccine. This shot is not just for each individual but also for the community at large. It should be our responsibility to our friends, families and neighbors to help curb the spread of this virus and prevent any more deaths.

The annual flu season is bad enough, but the addition of the swine flu to the mix can only make things worse.

In addition to getting shots, it is a must to follow simply public hygiene methods such as sneezing into a tissue, washing your hands regularly and staying away from others when you feel the onset of flu-like symptoms.

It should be our goal — all of us — to be able to look back on this upcoming flu season as a time when we all joined together to beat back this virus.

That would be a victory we could all celebrate together.