The latest recommendation follows results from a USA study in young children that showed vaccines containing a 2017-2018 strain of H1N1 flu virus performed better than the 2015-2016 strain that had shown decreased effectiveness, AstraZeneca said.
The health department reported the latest child death on Tuesday.
The state health department only tracks pediatric and pregnancy-related flu deaths.
The state is holding a free vaccine clinic at the state health center at 1600 Northampton St.in Easton between 9 and 11:30 a.m. today. No appointments are necessary.
Public Health Ontario says getting the shot could be like taking high blood pressure medication. The data also demonstrate that the new 2017-2018 H1N1 LAIV strain resulted in increased vaccine virus replication in vaccinated children. The most recent numbers (Feb. 4-10) showed an upward trend in new lab-confirmed cases with more than 1,000 in the week.
Similarly, most flu infections across the country are being caused by influenza H3N2 viruses, according to a report by the CDC released February 16. Flu outbreaks typically happen as early as October and can last as late as May.
However, the flu vaccine is only 36 percent effective in preventing strains A and B this flu season in adults and 59 percent effective for children, according to the CDC.
Two years ago, the advisory group pulled its recommendation for FluMist vaccine after research found it wasn't working against swine flu, the kind of flu that was making most people sick then.
The AstraZeneca product was once considered the best childhood flu vaccine on the market and accounted for about a third of all child vaccinations.
The flu vaccine is available at doctors' offices and retail pharmacies.
Symptoms of the flu may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue.
