The Washington State Department of Health said Thursday the flu has reached it's peak in our state, but death toll may be higher than 19.

The most widespread type of flu reported is the 2009 H1N1 strain, which is covered by this season's vaccine.

The Department of Health says 19 official deaths due to the virus have been confirmed.  However, because the state only counts fatalities that are officially tested by labs, the actual toll may be higher.  In a number of cases, deaths that could be the result of flu are not tested.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only about 40% of the population nationally has received a flu shot for this season.  To effectively "protect" neighborhoods and communities and limit spread of the disease, at least 80% of the population needs to get the vaccine.

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