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Flu season is on the way, and we're getting a hint of what it will be like from Australia, where it's spring. Australia's department of health said 

 from the flu this season, and more than 270,000 people have gotten sick.  

“That’s why the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control] is urging us to have people get their flu shots earlier,” said Dr. Jon Hallberg, medical director of the 

University of Minnesota Physicians Mill City Clinic

. “What happened there is the flu season hit one to two months earlier than it had in the past.” 

Hallberg said people in Minnesota should get their flu shots soon. 

State health officials urge residents to get a flu shot

 Some tips to tell the difference

To hear more, including how scientists are working on a one-time vaccination against the flu, click play on the audio player above.

Tom Crann

Host

Dr. Jon Hallberg

Guest

People in Australia, where it’s spring, have been walloped by a particularly bad flu season. Health officials here are urging people to get their flu shots as soon as possible in case we see something similar.

People in Australia, where it's spring, have been walloped by a particularly bad flu season. Health officials here are urging people to get their flu shots as soon as possible in case we see something similar.

Flu season is on its way — what we can learn from Australia's deadly season

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