Alberta Health Services launched this season’s influenza immunization program Monday, making the shot available for free across the province.

Under the program, flu shots are available throughout the province, at health centres, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.

It’s recommended all Albertans over the age of six months get the shot – especially those at highest risk of getting seriously ill including children under the age of five, seniors, people living in care homes, pregnant women, indigenous people, and those with chronic health concerns.

“We’re very hopeful it’ll be a mild season like last year, but we know the best way to ensure that is to encourage Albertans to get immunized as soon as possible,” Associate Minister of Health Brandy Payne said.

Officials said it takes two weeks to build up immunity after receiving the vaccine.

For this season, the province ordered 1.6 million doses, or enough to immunize 35 percent of the population – and officials have focused on making the flu shot more easily available to Albertans.

“From pharmacists, to public health centres, as well, we’re also providing,” Dr. Chris Sikora, Medical Officer of Health for AHS, said Monday. “We hope to have within AHS over 80 percent of our workforce immunized.”

In the last flu season, more than a quarter of Albertans and 60 percent of health care workers were immunized.

This season, AHS said the flu shot protects against four different strains of influenza – officials said it is the best prediction of which strains could be circulating this year.

In recent weeks, there have been 60 lab-confirmed cases of the flu in Alberta, but officials said that isn’t enough to declare the start of the flu season.

With files from Nicole Weisberg