The same brutal influenza strain that struck last year has returned to Metro Vancouver, and health officials fear this season’s vaccine could under-perform.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirmed there have already been two outbreaks of the H3N2 virus at separate care facilities, an unusual occurrence this early in the year.

What’s worse, there are concerns the flu shot will only be between 40 and 60 per cent effective.

Dr. Danuta Skowronsky of the BCCDC said she understands that number “might sound dismal to people,” but it’s important to take it in context.

“If I were to give you a coupon for 50 per cent reduction in the cost of your grocery bill, you would probably think that was quite good,” Skowronsky said.

“Quite frankly, for some people influenza can be life-threatening, so that kind of reduction is actually very important.”

Health officials said in a good year, the influenza vaccine’s effectiveness is around 60 to 70 per cent.

Last year, partly due to a vaccine mismatch, that number was much lower, triggering one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory.

B.C. saw the highest number of care facility outbreaks in more than a decade, according to the BCCDC.

Skowronsky said bad influenza seasons are typically followed by milder ones, and that still could be the case this year.

“I’m hoping for the coming season the overall activity will be less severe,” she said, “but I am a little troubled that we’re already picking up H3N2 viruses.”

Other instances of the disease have been linked to cruise ships, particularly those coming from areas of the world whose flu season is already in full-swing.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control said regardless of how severe this year turns out, it’s important for people to get their shots – especially those at high-risk of serious illness, such as young children, pregnant women, seniors and those with certain medical conditions.

“It would be really sad to me if we turned people away from the vaccine because of last year,” Skowronsky said.

“It’s a miserable illness and if you can avoid it, why wouldn’t you?”

People with family members who are considered high-risk are also strongly urged to get the vaccine to minimize the chance of transmitting it to their loved ones.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Sheila Scott