Subscribe
NewsOne Featured Video
CLOSE

The Centers For Disease Control released grim statistics today about a growing widespread flu epidemic in the U.S. According to the CDC, 15 children have died from the flu this year. The a large number of flu cases have been reported in 22 states including Puerto Rico.

SEE ALSO: Obama Girls Most Influential Teens

Making matters worse, this year’s vaccine isn’t particularly helpful. According to CNN reporting, just over half the strains tested were not covered by the vaccine because a this is a mutated flu strain that developed after the vaccine was designed. Still, the CDC says the vaccination is the best defense against catching the flu. As in previous years, children and older adults have been impacted the most. Flu-related hospitalizations among people 65 and older has reached 38.3 per 100,000 people, the highest rate of any age group, the CDC reports.