Health Check: Flu vaccine not a perfect match

The CDC reports that the most common flu viruses circulating right now are mutated versions of the vaccine. In other words, the flu vaccine this year is a poor match, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the flu shot altogether. "We know that there is some cross protection even if the flu vaccine doesn't exactly match the circulating strain," said Jennifer Heath, an immunization outreach nurse specialist with the Minnesota Department of Health. "And in addition to that, there are usually more than one strain of flu circulating, so the flu vaccine is still well matched to those other strains we'll probably see circulate this year." Officials from the Minnesota Department of Health say in the last couple of weeks, they've seen an increase in hospitalizations and positive influenza tests. That's why they're encouraging people to get flu vaccinations in order to build up their immune systems. At the Walgreens in New Hope, about 10-15 people come in each day to get their flu shots, but pharmacists say people as a whole could do better. "If I had the option to give a hundred a day, I would do a hundred a day. That would be great," said Mark Wermers, a Walgreens staff pharmacist. "I would love to be able to do that. And I have the time. We have the time to do it. We make the time to do it, so everyone is welcome to get a flu shot." Health officials recommend that anyone six months and older should get a flu vaccination, unless you can't get one for medical reasons. Delane Cleveland http://www.ccxmedia.org   / ccxmedia.org     / ccxsports   Learn about our mobile app - http://bit.ly/CH12app Channel 12 is on Comcast cable in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.