OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington State Department of Health says the flu is spreading at a high rate in the state with deaths at higher rates than are usually seen at this point in the season. Health officials said Tuesday that 40 people have died from the flu in Washington including three children, as of Dec. 10. Officials are strongly recommending that everyone age 6 months and older get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccines can help prevent severe illness, disease spread and hospitalizations in an already strained healthcare system. The most common strain seen so far this year is influenza A (H3N2). Officials say the flu vaccines protect against that strain.
Flu deaths rise to 40 in Washington state, vaccines urged
