The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned the flu vaccine is not effective against one strain because it has changed or mutated. Dr. Anne O’Keefe is the senior epidemiologist with the Douglas County Health Department in Omaha and says this isn’t uncommon.
O’Keefe says it is important that people still be vaccinated as it can provide cross protection and may prevent serious illness, hospitalization or even death.
O’Keefe says it is an influenza A strain and tends to cause more hospitalizations and deaths, especially in the elderly. Health experts say it is too late in the season to develop another vaccine.
