Fighting the Flu Early

Medical experts urge early vaccinations

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By Monique Williams

Story Created: Sep 4, 2012 at 1:34 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 4, 2012 at 6:07 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last month that it has approved the 2012-2013 influenza (flu) vaccine formulation, and medical officials encourage you to get vaccinated early.

"The best way to prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated every year," say medical officials. They say it's especially important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this season's influenza vaccines differ froms trains include din last year's vaccines.

According to the CDC, between five percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population develops influenza each year. For more information on the virus and the vaccine, visit www.flu.gov.