The CDC announced this week that the flu vaccine is working better than expected. 

CDC officials say this year's vaccine is about 25 percent effective against the H3N2 strain of flu that is causing deaths across the country. They say that the vaccine is more effective in children 8 years old and younger - about 59 percent effective. 

The CDC says so far this year 84 children have died from influenza. Three out of four children who died of the flu had not received the flu vaccine.

Dr. John Zaso, a pediatrician, says it's still not too late to get the flu shot. He says by getting the vaccine, you are less likely to get hospitalized.

"For whatever reason, they may be afraid of the vaccine and we're here to say the vaccine is safe and effective," says Dr. Zaso. "It may not be 100 percent, but it's still better than zero."

The flu season is expected to last several more weeks.