Cough, cough. Hack, hack, sneeze, sneeze. Yup, it's flu season again and once again Interior Health is reminding everyone that getting a flu shot will reduce your chances of catching influenza this season.

After the H1N1 flu scare last year, Dr. Rob Parker, Medical Health Officer for the Interior Health Association, says he's expecting a more normal flu season this year.

"I think this year will be a typical flu season. It will start in November and peak around Christmas or New Years or just after." At the moment, the Rhinovirus (common cold) is the most active virus circulating around, but that will change once flu season arrives, Parker says.

This year's vaccine contains three different flu strains, one of which is the pandemic strain (H1N1) that circulated last year. But the chances of a H1N1 pandemic this year are considerably less than last year because of the large number of people that received flu shots last year with the H1N1 strain.

"Last year was unique because it was the first time ever we had a pandemic virus and was the first time we ever were able to produce a vaccine for a pandemic and we had to get going on it right-a-way because it takes a while to produce a vaccine," Parker says.

The H1N1 outbreak in the 2009 – 2010 flu season didn't turn out as bad as was feared, but it was still very serious. Some 428 Canadians died of H1N1, or Swine Flu as it was sometimes called by the end of February 2010, including 51 in B.C. and one in Cranbrook.

"Do I think the H1N1 virus is going to cause big disease problems this year? I don't think so because as compared to the start last year when nobody was immune to it we got 40 per cent of the population immunized last year so there will be some retained immunity and about 40 per cent of the population got naturally infected with the virus before the vaccine became available. So that's about 80 per cent of the population that has some retained immunity."

However new variations of the H1N1 virus are expected to develop and immunization fades with time so people should still get vaccinated this year, especially seniors ad those with chronic health conditions, says Parker.

There's also a new variation of the common H3N2 strain of flu showing up this year, which could cause problems, Parker says. "Most people won't have seen that strain of influenza before and they haven't been vaccinated against it."

Influenza (flu) shots are free for those 65 or older, people with chronic health conditions, or other at risk groups, including young children and pregnant women. Flu clinics have already started in some centres, including Cranbrook and Kimberley.

The next clinic at Cranbrook will be Nov. 3 at the Tamarack Mall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with another one at the same location Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The next clinic in Kimberley takes place at the Centennial Centre Nov. 10 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. All clinics are held on a "drop-in" basis."

"The flu shot is a safe, effective way to reduce your chances of getting influenza and reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get it," says Parker. "The vaccine is 70 to 90 per cent effective in preventing influenza in healthy children and adults. If you aren't eligible for the free clinics, it is a good idea to check with your pharmacist or doctor to find out about getting vaccinated."

Flu shots are also available at local clinics in Cranbrook and Kimberley, but you should check before you go because in some cases they are available to clinic patients only and in other cases a small fee may be involved.

In general free shots are available for anyone over 65, children and adults with chronic conditions and their caregivers, children from six months to 18 years, aboriginal people, obese people, nursing home residents and their caregivers.

Influenza is highly contagious and is the leading cause of preventable death due to infectious disease in Canada, killing thousands of Canadians every year and hospitalizing thousands more. It spreads easily from person to person by coughing, sneezing or talking.  Seniors, infants under two and people with chronic illness are most at risk from complications that can result from the flu.

"Getting a flu shot protects you and those around you – at home, school, work and in the community," says Dr. Parker. "People can spread the influenza virus before they show symptoms, which is why it is so important for people to be vigilant about washing their hands throughout the day and immediately after sneezing, coughing or before and after visiting daycares, hospitals or healthcare facilities.

"It is also important to stay home if you are feeling sick."