BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Flu season is on its way out. The season just officially wrapped up nationwide.
Federal health officials say it began late and was mild compared to years past. In fact, flu season this year set a new record for the lowest and shortest peak for influenza since surveillance began.
Vermont health officials say activity in this state mimicked activity nationwide, starting about five weeks later than usual with no significant activity until late March and into April. Experts believe that's because the strains circulating this year were similar to those last year and the vaccine was well matched.
"So both those things meant that as flu started circulating there were perhaps a lot higher percentages of people that were well protected, either from past disease or vaccination," said Susan Schoenfeld, the deputy state epidemiologist at the Vermont Department of Health.
Schoenfeld says eight Vermonters died from the flu this year. They were all between the ages of 73 and 94. A reminder that even during a mild flu season, the virus can still cause serious illness.
