This is a new virus and the chain of transmission is high. For everyone that catches it they infect 2 - 3 people and there is no immunity so this leads to exponential growth of infection, unlike the common Flu. People in Italy are still dieing at an alarming rate, and there could possibly be a second wave of infections once the draconian measures are eased.

Flu vaccines are not that effective and have to be taken every year. That's why a lot of people don't take them.

Who says they arent effective? They make you immune from the flu that sounds effective to me! And the majority of people who dont get the flu shot are those in poorer countries.