Jon Snow creates storm as he gets Covid jab in Manchester’s Rates Hall
Game of Thrones fans will be reassured to know that Jon Snow has recently had his Covid jab.
To be more specific, that’s Manchester’s version of the Winter Warrior – after a Jon Snow lookalike, who is part of the council’s work to promote vaccines messages, was in town.
As ‘Manchester’s winter is coming’ the lookalike legend from hit drama Game of Thrones, was there to help with a campaign to boost knowledge on Covid vaccines and boosters, the flu jab and carrying on with testing – while telling people where they get help with all of this.
But, while ‘Jon’ was here, he made the most of the walk-in vaccination site within the town hall, so that he too could have his Covid vaccination.
Jon – who is actor James Martin – said: “I wanted to have the vaccine, so this was the perfect time and a case of life imitating art! It was quick and easy and absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“This call-out to the city is so vital,” said Dr Manisha Kumar, Medical Director at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning. “Please don’t put off having your vaccinations – early evidence suggests that people who get Covid and flu at the same time can be twice as likely to die. This can be prevented -and we have to do everything we can so that people don’t face the prospect of serious illness, or even death.”
David Regan, who is Director of Public Health in Manchester, said: “In our view everyone is a hero who has the vaccine to look after themselves and others. There’s no doubt that this winter is going to be tough, with all the extra cold and respiratory viruses, flu and of course, Covid, as people are out of lockdown.
“I thank everyone in advance for keeping on with all those key things that can keep the the whole city safe.”
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Executive Member for Health and Care at Manchester City Council, said: “In fact, it’s even more appropriate that we had ‘Jon Snow’ to help with the campaign. In terms of medicine there is another John Snow, who was a London physician, famous for his work on anaesthesia and finding the source of a cholera outbreak in the 1800s.”
Manchester’s Jon Snow -and its King of the North – will be coming to a (mobile) screen near you soon.