NEW YORK (AP) — The flu season is just getting under way, and health officials say already about 1 in 3 Americans have gotten vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says that’s about the same rate or even a little ahead of seasonal flu vaccinations at this time last year. Flu usually peaks between January and March but was widespread a year ago because of the swine flu epidemic.
So far this year, flu activity nationwide is low except in the Southeast, particularly in Georgia. While swine flu accounted for most illnesses last season, so far it is not the dominant strain.
For the first time, officials this year are urging nearly everyone to get a flu shot or nasal spray. The only exception is babies under 6 months old.
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