It's time for flu shots again, and health officials expect to avoid a repeat of the misery last winter, when immunizations weren't a good match for a nasty surprise strain.
Manufacturers project that more than 170 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available this season.
Options range from traditional shots, a nasal spray, a high-dose version for seniors and even a needle-free injection for the squeamish.
"Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against the flu," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 40 million doses have been used already, Frieden said, adding that the flu vaccine is 50% to 60% effective.
Last year's flu season was especially rough, as a harsh new Type A strain burst on the scene after vaccine doses already were manufactured, leaving them less effective than usual. Flu-related hospitalizations of seniors were the highest recorded in the decade that CDC has counted.
This year's vaccine contains protection against that bug and other strains that specialists consider most likely to spread.
"So far the strains in this year's vaccine seem likely to match," Frieden said.
Still, flu viruses are tricky, and there's no guarantee another surprise won't crop up.
Fewer than half of Americans get an annual flu immunization, even though the CDC says, on average, flu kills about 24,000 people a year in the U.S.
New CDC data shows vaccination rates last year were highest for children ages 6 months to 23 months—at 75%, the only age group to meet public health goals. Not far behind were adults over 65 and children ages 2 to 4—about two-thirds of each group got vaccinated.
Least likely to be vaccinated were adults ages 18 to 49. Even the healthy, whether kids or adults, can benefit from flu vaccine, not only to ward off their own illness but also to keep from spreading it to others, the CDC said.
Some providers are turning to technology to encourage vaccination. Children 6 months to 8 years old need two doses if they've never been vaccinated before, and they're more likely to be brought in for a second dose if parents are reminded by text, said Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, executive director of digital health at Seattle Children's Hospital.
Facebook and Twitter campaigns are becoming popular ways to get the word out as well, she said.
Michael Sandler contributed to this report.
