The flu shots updated this year appear to be “very good matches” with the most common flu strains, said Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“We’re looking in real time at how good we think the match is between the flu and what’s going around. And for now, the good news is that there seems to be a really good match,” Ms. Walensky.
According to the CDC, seasonal flu activity is high and continues to increase across the country.
According to CDC estimates, there have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths from influenza so far this season in the United States.
“The increase in cases and hospitalizations is particularly concerning as we approach the winter months, when more people are congregating indoors, with less ventilation, and as we approach the winter season. parties, where many reunite with loved ones across multiple generations,” Walensky said.
U.S. health officials have urged people to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of large holiday gatherings and colder weather.