By Tony Pugh, Mclatchy News Washington Bureau

...Health officials face a different problem altogether with the flu. Because this season’s dominantH3N2 virus wasn’t used in the vaccine formula, it can potentially infect more people and cause more hospitalizations and deaths than in typical years.

The emergent H3N2 virus was first detected in March 2014. It became increasingly prominent in subsequent months.

Officials testified Tuesday that by the time it was clear that the current vaccine formula wasn’t an ideal match, it was too late to manufacture a new batch of more effective vaccine using the H3N2 strain.

The system of selecting flu strains for the seasonal vaccine is “archaic” and a “game of chance,” said subcommittee Vice Chairman David McKinley, R-W.Va.

Under questioning from McKinley, Schuchat said manufacturers couldn’t provide a new improved vaccine fast enough, nor in the volume needed to be useful on a national level.

“A highly effective vaccine with very few doses available may not be as good as a moderate- or low-efficacy vaccine and a lot of doses available,” Schuchat said.

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