ST. PAUL (AP) - A 14-year-old girl is Minnesota's fifth fatal flu case this season.

The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed the teen's flu-related death.

Since the start of the season, nearly 600 people have been hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed flu.

Health officials say the current vaccine is well-matched to the circulating strains of flu. The vaccine is not 100 percent effective for everyone who gets it, but the Health Department says it is the best defense available against the flu.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved)

More From AM 1240 WJON