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How does a strain of flu subvert the vaccine?

There has been a sharp rise in the number of flu cases seen by GPs in the past week, which are up 78% on the week before - suggesting it could be the worst flu season for seven years.

Dr Chris Smith, a specialist in clinical microbiology and virology at Cambridge's Addenbrooke's Hospital, says the virus moves around the world every year and mutates as it goes. He says the vaccine to prevent it includes some "guess work", but almost everyone can benefit from it.

(Image: flu vaccine, credit: PA)

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2 minutes