Waltz into Winter film
Health chiefs at Manchester City Council say there is still time to avoid ‘Festive Flu’, if people act now.
Using a new dance-themed film aimed at older people, chiefs are urging residents to have their jabs, side-step viruses, channel their inner Strictly and ‘Waltz into Winter’.
You can see the film here: Waltz into Winter film
And while the film may be light-hearted, it carries a serious message as adult cases of flu are expected to rise once schools and nurseries close this week for Christmas.
Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also shows that flu cases are currently highest among 5-14 year olds – which means the likelihood of transmission is high over the holiday period.
The renewed call comes as the country’s hospitals reported a recent ‘tidal wave’ of infections, as the number of hospital beds in England taken up by flu patients surged by 70% in just one week.
People who are eligible for free jabs have until December 19 to book flu vaccinations and also Covid –19 vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service.
However, it will still be possible to book them in Manchester after Thursday (December 19) by contacting your GP, or through pharmacies or walk-in sites.
Dr Cordelle Ofori, Manchester’s Director of Public Health, said:
“We all know how busy people’s calendars get at this time of year and that the window for getting as much protection as possible is getting narrower – because the vaccinations take around 14 days to be as effective as possible.
“We’ve heard that many people think that Covid ‘has gone away’ - it hasn’t and neither has flu - which is expected at this time of year. That’s why it is so important that people act now so that they don’t get ill themselves or pass viruses to others who may be more susceptible to becoming very ill.”
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Social Care, at Manchester City Council, said:
"And, every time one person gets a vaccination they are also helping others because there is less chance of them passing a virus on, especially when there are so many social events between now and new year."
For more information on Manchester’s vaccination offer and walk-in clinics go to manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab.