Scientists are saying that we could be seeing a new strain of flu that could spark a pandemic, an epidemic that could spread across the world.

Since December, a strain of bird flu has spread through poultry flocks from Japan to Thailand, despite efforts to contain it by mass killing of chickens. The virus also has infected and killed humans, though it doesn't appear to spread easily to people.

Experts claim this could easily change.

Only 43% of people at highest risk of serious illness from flu get vaccinated most years, she said. "Flu is a serious disease, and we have not taken it seriously."

To read the full story Yahoo! News - Vaccine shortage points to global risk, experts say