Manitobans are encouraged to get a flu shot, not only for themselves but for other people's health as well.

The 2017-18 influenza immunization campaign officially launched today.

Acting chief provincial public health officer Dr. Elise Weiss says flu season usually starts mid-October and lasts into mid-March or April. She says the vaccine is safe, effective, and free, eligible to anybody six months old or older. Dr. Weiss does say there can be complications due to allergies.

Some people are more at-risk for serious illness as a result of the flu than others, but Dr. Elise Weiss says you can transmit influenza virus even if you don't have symptoms.

"It's very important (to get vaccinated) for that reason, not just for yourself, but also for others who are around you."

According to Manitoba Health, people more at risk of serious illness from the flu include seniors, infants, caregivers for kids under five, residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities, pregnant women, health-care workers and first responders, people with chronic health conditions, and Indigenous people.

Free vaccines are available at local public health offices, nursing stations, doctor's offices, pharmacy ACCESS Centres, and at immunization clinics.

Seniors are encouraged to also get a pneumococcal vaccine, which is also free for people 65+ and to some people who are at increased risk of pneumococcal infection. Manitoba is also the first province introduce a high-dose flu vaccine for personal care home residents.

Dr. Weiss says the H3N2 flu strain seems to have been the predominant one in Australia this year, where there has been a particularly bad flu season.