Flu Vaccine Only 30 Percent Effective As Season Hits Its Stride

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Flu season is in full force, and it appears this year's flu vaccine isn't very effective against the strain going around.

Government leaders are warning the vaccine may only be 30 percent effective after scientists discovered the H3N2 strain mutated shortly after this year's vaccine production began.

Even with that reduced effectiveness, they say some protection is still better than nothing.

Six children died from the virus last week, bringing this season's toll to 21 children.

California is one of a few states that hasn't seen a high level of the illness yet.

Iyue Sung tracks flu trends and says the data from past flu seasons show the fly can appear to slow down, then surge again.

For Californians, it's a warning that the virus could hit our state hard in the next few weeks.