The deadline for getting protected against flu and Covid-19 in time for Christmas Day is now, health experts are warning, reminding people that flu can be a ‘killer’. Greater Manchester health chiefs are starting a Christmas countdown to make sure residents have their Covid and flu jabs in time for December 25 - as the vaccinations take two weeks to give full protection after being administered.
The call to get vaccinated comes as the prevalence of all types of illness has shot up this winter. A return to social mixing following multiple lockdowns has brought an increase in seasonal colds as well as less common illnesses, such as scarlet fever.
Immune systems are not as used to dealing with the bugs, meaning people experience more severe bouts of the illnesses.
