As per prediction by federal health officials, flu shots this year will have far better results in fighting flu strain compared to any previous year's vaccinations for flu. Last year, a strong mutated flu strain became largely resistant to flu shots, leaving doctors and public in surprise.

The viral strain of H3N2 flu was behind most of the illnesses during last year's flu season, the Los Angeles Times reports the overall effectiveness of flu vaccines was just 23%, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the CDC, said in a statement that so far, the flu strains for this year's vaccine appear likely to match. Two strains of influenza virus have been changed in this season's vaccines, based on the viruses that experts believe will be circulating during the upcoming flu season, he said.

The flu season starts in October, before it reaches to its peak in the winter. But flu vaccines are reformulated months earlier, based on what experts predict will be best to fight off what they believe will be in circulation.

Public health officials said Thursday that right now it is the best time to get a flu shot, because the vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully protective.

Dr. Matt Zahn, Orange County Health Care Agency's top epidemiologis, said, "People don't think of flu when it's really warm outside. But it's better to get vaccinated now so you're going to be protected when flu season gets here".