Flu Vaccine Less Effective due to Virus Mutation

The flu season has started off early and strong this year, already becoming widespread in 36 states. Health experts believe that a miss in this year's vaccine could be blamed for the high number of cases.

Dr. Michael Jhung, a medical officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), explained that this year, one strain of the virus mutated, which means that the vaccine is no longer a perfect match.

"The H3N2 component of the vaccine is different from the H3N2 virus that's circulating," Dr. Jhung said according to CBS Philly. "When that happens, it may be that the vaccine won't work as well."

He added, reported by the New York Times, "We're already above the peak that we saw last year, and we're increasing."

Over the past two decades, there have only been two instances when the vaccine did not match the flu strains.

As of Dec. 20, at least 15 children under the age of 18 have died from the flu virus. In Minnesota, there was a record number of lab specimens sent for further testing. Several states that have been hard it by the virus include Delaware and Georgia.

For all patients regardless of age, the hospitalization rate for the flu is at 9.7 cases per 100,000 people. Last year, that rate was at 4.3 people per 100,000.

"We never know how this season compares to the previous season until the end of the year," Dr. Jhung added. The flu season is expected to be severe.

"The virus can enter the blood stream and then the brain, creating severe respiratory symptoms including shortness of breath and a very high fever," Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious disease physician with Mayo Clinic, said according to ABC News. "If the body's reaction to the virus is too vigorous, this can cause as much damage as the virus itself."

Despite this, people should still get vaccinated because the vaccine can still offer some protection.