Flu season is approaching.
And this year, there is a new vaccine. It'ss called “quadrovalent” – meaning it covers four different flu strains.
"The flu vaccine that we had before covered three strains -- two 'A' strains and one 'B' strain," said Abby Pierce, the manager of children's vaccines with the state Health Department. "This year, it covers four strains -- two 'A' and two 'B.'"
Pierce says the four-strain vaccine was developed because some people who got the flu shot contracted influenza anyway – and it was for a second “B” strain that was in the community.
Pierce says some places – such as drug stores – are already offering vaccines. And she says other medical providers will start offering them as soon as they get their shipments.