The latest strain of influenza has been deemed"widespread" in California and some experts are strongly recommending that health officials get flu shots.

"When you're a public healthcare provider, whether a doctor or nurse, we should urge everyone to take the flu vaccine," said Dr. Peter Weiss, assistant clinical professor at UCLA.

Nearly all of Weiss' staff have gotten flu shots, but he isn't sure hospitals should require them for workers, he said.

"Personally I think we need to instruct and educate people, and when you do that and you do it properly and you make a good argument, everyone gets the vaccine," Weiss said. "If you can't make an argument as to why it should be done, then why should people follow it?"

Read more at NBC Los Angeles