![Minnesota Reports 1st Flu Death Of Season](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/09/Flu-Shot-300x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Reports 1st Flu Death Of Season
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - State health officials say Minnesota has recorded its first death of the 2014 flu season.
Reports say the victim was a child but was not identified Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Health officials say 18 new patients were hospitalized with flu symptoms last week, about average for this stage of the season, and eight school districts reported new flu outbreaks.
Federal health officials said Thursday that flu vaccine might be less effective than normal this year, because of a shifting composition of flu strains.
But in guidance to clinics and patients, Minnesota officials said a flu shot still offers valuable protection.
Even at 60 percent effectiveness, the Health Department says flu vaccine is better than zero protection.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![New Report Shows Small and Lower-Income Schools Lack Nurses](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/06/attachment-Nurse.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Jail Program to Keep Families Together Expands](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2020/04/42.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Salmonella Cases Linked to Basil Sold at Trader Joe’s](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/04/attachment-Infinite-Herbs-Organic-Basil.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is It Illegal To Scatter Someone’s Ashes In Minnesota?](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/01/attachment-noah-silliman-EBB45rCSjrU-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Dept. Of Health Reports Salmonella Case](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/01/attachment-GettyImages-1157033091.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Recalled Cantaloupe Makes Five Minnesotans Sick](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/08/cantaloupe.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Little Falls Man Facing Charges in Death of Toddler](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/09/attachment-Erik-Blanco.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Department of Health Releases STD Report](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-c4262.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Red Cross Asking for Donations Ahead of Flu and Holiday Seasons](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/03/GettyImages-12242183571.jpg?w=980&q=75)