HOUSTON – Baylor College of Medicine is one of five government-funded locations in the U.S. to study the flu.
They let Channel 2 inside their lab to find out what the flu is predicted to do this year and if our flu shot is really going to protect us.
Inside the lab are active viruses that come from all over the country.
"We are the laboratory component, where all of the samples are sent," Dr. Pedro Piedra said.
Piedra is looking through the samples specifically for the flu. He's trying to figure out what strain is popular this year and let you know how to defend yourself.
"Last year we had a major mismatch for the H3N2 component, so far the H3N2 components that we are seeing circulating, and just keep in mind that it's very early, respond very well to the vaccine," he said.
That means that while different strains can circulate at the same time, so far it looks like the regular over-the-counter flu shot should protect you and Piedra said you should consider the vaccine an obligation to your community.
"Providing a barrier for the virus, against the virus to take hold of that family," he said. "The virus can only take hold of people who are susceptible."
Luckily, he said this year there is no shortage of the vaccine and for people 65 and older, there's a newer, better option, thanks to the studies done in our medical center.
"There's another influenza vaccine that is tailor-made for them and that's called a high dose vaccine," Piedra said. "What it does is improve the immune response in older subjects."
Also, since children under 6 months are not recommended to get the vaccine, it's important that pregnant women get a flu shot to pass along protection to their babies, which could last them for their first six months of life.