New flu shot for kids under 17 covers four strains

A nurse with the Sudbury and District health unit says it is too soon to assess how effective flu shots will be this year — and that some criticism may be premature.

"We don't have any flu circulating at this point to know that it would be a good or a not-that-optimal match," said Ronda Sawyer.

"So it's still too early to make that statement."

Meanwhile, public health officials are recommending a new flu shot for children up to 17 years old — one that provides protection from four strains of flu instead of three.

Ronda Sawyer said it's called a quadravalent vaccine, and protects against two "A" and two "B" strains.

"All the studies they've done ... has shown additional B strains and the quadravalent would provide better protection," she said.

She said the trivalent, which protects against two "A" and one "B" strain is also available.

The two vaccines should be available in a couple of weeks.