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The province’s health care system is set to do combat with a flu season that could be less severe than the last one.

Early indications from other parts of the world suggest this year’s months-long bout could be milder than last year’s, which saw 92 die in Alberta from flu-involved illnesses, 32 of them in Calgary, in the 2017-18 season.

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“It was more of a milder season in the southern hemisphere so if that translates, it’ll help,” said Alberta Health Services spokesman Bruce Conway.

Even so, AHS officials say it’s just as important to be vaccinated to increase the odds of warding off the virus. The annual immunization campaign kicks off Monday at clinics that include four Calgary locations.

“It is important to get immunized early in the season,” said Dr. Christopher Sikora, acting senior medical officer of health for AHS.

“You may be healthy now but without immunization, everyone is at risk. Prevention is your only protection.”