Flu Season 2015: CDC Altering Flu Vaccine for Better Protection

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have upgraded the formulation of flu vaccine for better protection.

This means that next season's round of flu shots which will be released in the autumn, and will include protection from 2 new flu strains not present in the last season's shots.

U.S. health officials acknowledged that the 2014–2015 flu vaccine did not successfully prevent certain influenza viruses from circulation, specifically the H3N2 strain which rendered the shots less than 20 percent effective.

According to US News & World Report, flu vaccine formulas are made months in advance to give time for makers to manufacture millions of vaccines needed. CDC epidemiologist Lynette Brammer said that the H3N2 strain was fast and unexpected and that "there wasn't time for it to be included in the vaccine."

CDC experts described the last flu season as "moderately severe" with hundreds to thousands of people affected and killing thousands with the majority ages of 65 and above. According to Discovery News, there were 322 hospitalizations per 100,000 people during the particularly long 2014–2015 flu season.

"This year was a severe year, particularly for the elderly. Our vaccine match wasn't as good as we would like it to be," Brammer said. "It was an unusual year."

The upcoming flu vaccines are upgraded to prevent H1N1 and H3N2 strains and two influenza B viruses, according to News Everyday.

According to health authorities there are no guarantees that the new shots will provide absolute protection.

"Influenza activity is unpredictable in terms of what virus will predominate and the exact timing of the season, and both of these things, along with others, can have a large impact on season severity. Therefore, we can't know at this point what the next flu season will look like," Brammer said.

The CDC recommends that children—starting from 6 months and above—and adults should get an annual flu shot.

"Although we did have a mismatch last season, a flu shot is still the best way to protect against influenza," Brammer said. "We do recommend that come the fall, people should go out and get vaccinated."

According to WebMD, the earlier you get the shots, the better you'll be protected in the upcoming flu season. It takes approximately 2 weeks for the shots to be at their most effective state. Mild effects such as soreness, swelling or redness can occur after getting vaccinated. However, if you are experiencing hives, tachycardia or if you are having trouble breathing, please contact your doctor right away.