This year's flu season has been much quieter than past years nationally, according to a report from the Centers of Disease Control on Thursday.

One possible reason is the effectiveness of this year's flu shot.

The CDC found this year's flu shot was 47 percent effective, up from last year.

The shot's effectiveness for children is even higher at 61 percent nationally.

Erie's flu numbers are down as well.

"Flu this year has been light compared to numbers last," said Charlotte Berringer, director of nursing for the Erie County Department of Health. "They're equally low this year. We've been running less that 40 reported cases of flu in Erie County this year."

Doctors said there is still time to get vaccinated. People who get the flu shot and still get sick generally have milder cases.