Flu season has started in the US and cases are expected to rise in the coming weeks. And it is worth getting a simple vaccine to protect against a disease that is far more unsafe than the common cold, and can lead to death and hospitalization even in healthy people, he added.

According to the CDC, immunizations this flu season are about on pace with the prior two seasons, with roughly 40 percent of the overall population vaccinated by November.

Flu shots are available at primary care offices, community health centers and at many local pharmacies.

"When there is a good match between the flu vaccine and the circulating flu strains, people's risk of getting sick from influenza is greatly reduced", Holt says.

"There's so far been 17 or so cases in Cass County as of last week, so not huge numbers, but that could change rapidly as well", says Desi Fleming, Director of Nursing for Fargo Cass Public Health.

With the flu season just ramping up, it's hard to gauge how effective this year's vaccines will be, but as always, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit is encouraging residents to get the shot.

As many learn the hard way, it is possible to get the flu after you've had a flu shot.

So why are there fewer influenza cases this year?

Why do I need to get vaccinated every year?

He stressed while the flu vaccine is not flawless, it does help to minimize symptoms. "The little guys with their running noses, putting things in their mouth, all of that".

"The flu vaccine is flying out of our fridge, and has been since October", Mansourian-Christakos said.

It is likely that multiple factors affect the severity of outbreaks, Mills said, including the weak winter sun and children being in close contact with one another in school for months. KidsHealth.org wrote that these include pregnant women, kids younger than age five, people age 65 and older, and people who suffer from chronic medical conditions.