This year's flu shot includes the vaccine for H1N1 as well as a new influenza strain known as H3N2. (CBC)

It's that time of year again: health workers in Ottawa are gearing up to deliver this year's version of the annual flu shot.

Last year, the seasonal flu vaccine took a back seat to the massive innoculation campaign against swine flu.

This year, experts are predicting a more typical flu season, with a difference your arm will thank you for.

"We won't have two vaccines to give you; we'll have one," said family doctor Janet Dolan.

Another improvement over last year is a safety needle that prevents health-care workers and curious children from accidentally getting pricked.

Overall, getting the flu shot will be simpler this year than last year, said Dolan.

"Last year was crazy. We had a lot people come in worried about that extra shot," Dolan said.

This year's vaccine will cover three influenza strains: a new one known as H3N2, an influenza B component and H1N1.

Ottawa Public Health stressed that even if you got both shots last year, you need this year's version.

"We're facing a different situation, and that's what so unique about influenza," said Dr. Nadine Sicard. "It's an unpredictable disease. It changes constantly. It likes to mutate so it can infect people again. So, this is why we have a new vaccine every year."

Public Health is in the process of delivering the new vaccine to family doctors, with a wider rollout of vaccination clinics scheduled for November.