While flu season is coming to a close, some are worried about a potential uptick in cases.
Dr. Mark Wiggins of St. Bernards First Care spoke with Region 8 News and explained the CDC builds the flu vaccine based off the last year’s flu.
Flu shots typically last between 6 and 8 months, long enough for the worst time of year for the virus.
Dr. Wiggins said there are different strains of the flu virus, and doctors can never know for sure which strain will be the biggest concern the next year.
“In 2018, the flu vaccine didn’t quite match with the flu, and the United States saw upwards of 90,000 deaths from flu complications,” said Wiggins, “This year the flu vaccine is really amazing. We’ve only seen anywhere from 15-20,000 deaths nationwide and that’s a testament to how good the vaccine is this year.”
Dr. Wiggins said only kids who got their first flu shot at 6 months need more than one dose of the vaccine.
Adults who have gotten the flu shot this season are still covered.
Check out the video to learn more!