Flu vaccine might not be as strong this year

Health officials are concerned that the current batch of flu vaccines people have been getting won’t be as effective as years past.

The CDC said a similar vaccine in Australia showed only 10 percent effectiveness.

Gundersen Health System of La Crosse infection prevention specialist says it’s not an exact science.

“Vaccines have to be made 6-9 months in advance,” Megan Meller said. “And, so predictions were made based on what was circulating last year in Australia.”

Meller said the flu there was severe last year, which is the reason for concern. Despite the low percentage prediction, there are still benefits to getting vaccinated.

“Even if you get the shot and you end up getting the flu, your symptoms will be less severe than if you didn’t get the shot,” Meller said.

In an average year, the effective of a flu shot has been 42 percent.