The United States is currently experiencing a greater number of flu cases than ever before, health official explain.

Many scientists have been searching for ways to decrease production time of formulating and mass-producing various vaccines.

Experts released a figure explaining the flu has accounted for nearly 10 percent of adult deaths, officially placing the flu season this year at what could be classified as an epidemic.

In a recent study in Helsinki, Finland, a group of children between the ages of 4 and 9 years old, have been noted to have narcolepsy after being given the vaccine for swine flu.

A new study may prove just how the flu virus (both swine flu and ‘regular’ flu) is passed from child to child or person to person.

Accounting for these two additional cases, the total death count for the Northern Ireland area is 21 people.

Swine flu, or H1N1 virus, has claimed the lives of two young children in Northern Ireland.

While vaccines are believed to be completely effective, the NHS explains that seasonal vaccines may only provide a protection rate of 70 to 80 percent.