Flu Deaths Across North Carolina Rise; CDC Releases Flu Shot Data

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' latest report, 17 more residents have died from the flu.

That brings the total number of flu-related deaths in the state to 165. The majority of the fatalities occurred over the past five weeks.

There were no pediatric deaths reported this week, though doctors say that people under the age of 5 and those older than 65 are at greatest risk.

According to information just released by the Centers For Disease Control, the flu shot was only effective about a third of the time this year.

But the CDC says that even though that number seems small, that one-third has a large positive impact on public health.

Medical professionals encourage people who have had the flu to avoid school and work until they're symptom-free for at least 24 hours. And getting the flu shot is still recommended.