With flu shots soon to be distributed to pharmacies and doctors' offices across the country, health officials are hoping this season's vaccine is more effective than the last.
Last season the shot failed to protect those who got it from the H3N2 strain, which was most popular in the London region.
A U.S. study estimates the vaccine was only 23% effective in preventing the flu.
"Since 2007 and 2008 the vaccine has turned out to be a good match for the disease that's ciruclating in the community and unfortunately that didn't happen last year. It turned out that the vaccine we had wasn't a good match for the strains (of influenza) that were circulating," says Marlene Price with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. "The World Health Organization looks at what strains are ciruclating and what strains are likley to cause the most seriously infections then based on their research they reccomend the strains that should be covered in the influenza vaccine."
Flu season has yet to arrive in the London area. Officials say cases typically start to surface in mid-October.
Those at the health unit say the best way to protect yourself from getting sick this winter is to get vaccinated.
