Flu for the holidays? There's still time to get vaccinated

Public health officials are urging people to get vaccinated against the flu this week so they have some protection against the virus in time for the holidays.

The advice comes at the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs through Saturday.

Flu cases are increasing rapidly in several areas of the state.

• Flu season: What you need to know

"It generally takes about two weeks from after you get the vaccine to get the most protection from it," Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist Karen Martin said. "So the earlier the better, but I wouldn't put an end date on it. It's never too late to get your immunization."

One of the influenza-A strains circulating this season has evolved, and it no longer matches the flu vaccine. Health officials still recommend the vaccine because it protects against several other strains of flu, and it could still offer some protection against the mutated strain.