CDC: This season's flu shot working well in children

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The current season's flu shot is better than last season's vaccine and is protecting children relatively well, the CDC said.

This year's shot offers 47 percent protection against all circulating strains compared to about 40 percent effectiveness of the vaccine for the tough 2017–2018 season for all ages, according to the CDC's latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

In other words, the current vaccine could nearly cut in half your odds of getting a severe case of the flu.

The news is even better for vaccinated children. The vaccine's overall effectiveness in kids is 61 percent this season.

The CDC urges almost everyone to get vaccinated against influenza except for children younger than 6 months and people with severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine.

Influenza activity is currently widespread in almost every state in the U.S., according to data compiled by the CDC.