It has been known for some time that the flu vaccine would be inadequate to meet the current needs to prevent the flu and that this would result in more deaths from flu than usual. Part of the reason for this is because the influenza vaccine was not designed to combat the predominant H3N2 flu virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just released a report that indicated that there were a higher number of deaths across the nation than there was previously. Last week, seven percent of all deaths nationally were from flu and pneumonia, but that figure has risen to eight-and-a-half percent in the week ending on Jan. 10.

When the vaccine was created for this year, it was believed that a different version of the flu would be predominant this season. Instead, what happened was that the flu strain had mutated, leaving a stronger and more severe flu version spreading around the nation and the vaccine has proven to be only 23 percent effective against it, the CDC reports. Flu vaccines typically have an effectiveness that ranges from 10 percent up to 60 percent.

Children continue to have an increasing death toll around the nation. It is now at 45. Last year, there were a total of 109 children who died over the length of the entire flu season.

Some people should seek medical attention early if they start seeing some symptoms of flu. People over the age of 65, those under two years old, and pregnant women should get the flu vaccine. Those with diabetes or asthma should also check with a doctor early on for help with the influenza virus.

Efforts to personally combat the flu should be ongoing during the season. This can lead to prevention and protection and may help people avoid the flu epidemic this year. It includes washing your hands frequently with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner, avoiding people who have the flu, and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Smokers are apt to experience flu more readily than non-smokers, says the CDC. Smoking increases the risk of lower and upper respiratory tract infections because it helps to suppress the immune function.

The CDC still suggests that people should get the flu vaccine, even though it is not as effective. They indicate that the vaccine takes about two weeks after the shot to develop the desired level of protection. A vaccine is good for between a few months to a year. A child that is between six months to eight years old may need to get two vaccines in a year.