The flu shot is providing moderate protection so far

THIS YEAR'S FLU SHOT APPEARS TO BE MODERATELY PROTECTIVE. (JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES)

This year’s flu shot seems to be providing moderate levels of protection, according to new numbers from the CDC. The data suggest this year’s vaccine offers about 47 percent protection against all flu infections. What that means: For every 10 cases of flu in people who weren’t vaccinated, four or five could have been prevented if those people had a flu shot. That’s lower than the levels of protection reported in Canada this year. But the CDC’s Dr. Alicia Fry tells STAT’s Helen Branswell it’s tricky to draw too many conclusions at this point in the flu season. Because it’s been relatively mild, there aren’t as many cases to calculate how well the vaccine is working.