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PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's top health official says this flu season may be more difficult than others.
Health Services Director Will Humble says the flu strain causing the most cases so far this year is one whose variations lead to more hospitalizations and death.
Humble also says the strain circulating now has changed from the strain included in this year's flu vaccine and that the change may reduce the vaccine's ability to fully protect against the flu.
He says it's too early to know whether it'll be a severe flu season or one in which the vaccine provides great protection.
But according to Humble, what is known is that it's better to have some protection than no protection. He urges people to get vaccinated now.
It takes two weeks to get immunity.
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