Health experts are warning Brits to get protected against flu and Covid-19 in time for Christmas Day and say the time to do it is now.
The Christmas countdown has started to make sure residents have their flu and Covid jabs in time for December 25, when millions of families are expected to gather together to celebrate.
Vaccinations take two weeks to give full protection after being administered which means an appointment by December 11 would be in time for Christmas.
All types of illness have risen this winter, partly due to multiple lockdowns followed by a return to social events.
Doctors have seen an increase in seasonal colds as well as less common illnesses like scarlet fever, as immune systems are not used to dealing with the bugs.
Frontline health and social care workers are eligible for another Covid jab this winter as well as pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, and those aged 50 and over.
Some 20,281 people in England tested positive for Covid in the week up to November 26, up 3.6 per cent compared to the previous week. Hospital admissions rose by 10.9 per cent while deaths fell by 29.7 per cent within 28 days of a positive test.
Public health leaders are reminding those who are entitled to vaccines to come forward between now and mid December and help everyone stay well over the festive period.
A&E departments and hospital admissions have seen a jump in flu patients in the last week, according to the latest UKHSA data.
The intensive care admission rate is now higher for flu than for Covid, it shows.
Flu vaccine uptake in eligible groups is similar to the last few years, according to the government.
Pre-schoolers, pregnant women, and those in the health and social care workforces particularly need to take up the offer, it adds.
Hospital admission rates for flu rose to 24 per million in the week of 14 to 20 November, up from 15 per million the previous week.
The highest rates were seen among children under five followed by those aged 75 and over.
Intensive care and high dependency care for flu patients rose from 13 per 10 million to 21 per 10 million over the same period.
The highest rates were in the under fives followed by those aged 65 and over.
In comparison, the Covid-19 rate was higher, at 17 per 10 million people.
The UK's medicines regulator confirmed on Tuesday that the Covid vaccine has been authorised for babies aged six months to four years old.
It also opens the door for vaccine advisers to choose whether the jab should be given to under-fives as part of the country's vaccination strategy.
With both flu and Covid cases both circulating this winter, it is vital all those eligible so far get both vaccines as soon as possible.
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: "Flu and Covid-19 are both circulating. We are currently seeing higher rates of flu at this time of year than usual.
"It is important those eligible have their flu jab as soon as they can. Vaccines are the best defence against these viruses. The most effective approach is to get vaccinated before it is circulating at very high rates.
"As flu cases have risen and in order to protect the most vulnerable – in line with pre-Covid flu seasons – antiviral medicines can now be prescribed in primary care settings such as GPs and pharmacies to those eligible who are most at risk to the complications of flu."
