Flu has struck at least 15 states this season and outbreaks are expected to increase next month.
Most of the cases involved one person or just a few people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.Outbreaks were reported in Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Washington state and Wisconsin, the CDC said.
The CDC, which expects more outbreaks in December, recommends vaccinations for people 65 and older, people in nursing homes, children with asthma and anyone with a chronic illness.
"Even though it's past November, people who have not gotten their vaccines can and should," said Nancy Ardent of the CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases.
The vaccine protects against both flu strains - Type B and Type A-Wuhan, which can kill. If elderly people or the chronically ill get Wuhan, they are more likely to get pneumonia or other life-threatening illnesses.
Flu contributes to the deaths of about 20,000 people a year in the United States.
Achoo! It's the flu
The flu has struck in 15 states since September, a typical start to the season. OUtbreaks are expected to get worse in December.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention