Hawaii Republican candidate for governor James “Duke” Aiona has urged the public to get flu shots, but he says he’s never been vaccinated himself.

Aiona, the state’s lieutenant governor, told KITV that he’s “not convinced that vaccines are more beneficial than harmful.”

Aiona promoted a school flu shot program during an August news conference in which he said for those people “who are like me and are sissies,” the vaccination is available in the form of a nasal mist.

Dr. Sarah Park of the state’s Disease Outbreak Control Division says everyone should get flu shots even if they’re healthy.

Both the Democratic nominee for governor, Neil Abercrombie, and Republican Gov. Linda Lingle’s office said they get flu shots annually.