Flu Deaths Spread Throughout The State This Season, CDC Says Not Enough Vaccinated

States across the nation are reporting high numbers of deaths caused by Influenza this season, with California alone reporting 45 flu deaths so far. According to the Center for Disease Control, 40 states have reported higher than normal flu deaths during the week of Jan. 5 to Jan. 11, CBS News reported.

At the end of last week, 38 people in California died from the flu. By Friday that number increased by seven people, including two children, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A total of 27 people have died from Influenza in North Carolina, with five dying in the last week, WRAL.com reported Thursday. One of the deaths was an infant, who was too young to be vaccinated.

Health officials in Indiana reported 11 flu deaths this season, three more than last week, the Associated Press reported. Local and national health officials said the flu is also affecting the young more so this year. Twenty children have died from the flu this season, with ten alone dying during the second week of January, CBS News reported.

California state epidemiologist Dr. Gil Chaves said "the great majority" of the deaths were caused by patients who did not receive a flu vaccination, the Los Angeles Times reported. There are 50 additional fatalities the state suspects are from Influenza, but those deaths most likely won't be confirmed until next week.

Chaves told the Los Angeles Times this year's flu season seems to be particularly deadly.

"For the entire last flu season we received a total of 106 deaths," Chaves said. "Knowing that we have 45 confirmed and 50 under investigation- that's 95 right there, and we're still not at the peak of the season. This seems to be a season where more deaths are being reported."'

According to the CDC, only 40 percent of Americans have gotten the flu shot this season. The height of the flu season usually occurs between January and March, CBS News reported.

"We don't know when the peak is until we're past it," Dr. Susan Rehm, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told CBS News. "It's important to remember it's not too late to get a flu vaccine."