SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has urged parents in Edinburgh to “trust the facts” and make sure their child is vaccinated for flu this winter.
This week, the Scottish Government has launched its annual national flu vaccination programme – with a focus on people with health conditions and children aged 2-5.
Every year thousands of children are hospitalised with flu. Even healthy children can become seriously ill from it. Protecting children can also stop the virus from spreading to family, friends and others.
To date more than 1.6 million doses of the nasal vaccine have been given to 2-11 year olds as part of the Scottish childhood immunisation programme. But more parents and carers are being urged to take up the offer.
Everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women and people at most risk of serious illness are offered the flu vaccination on the NHS.
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “Getting your kids vaccinated is free and only takes a few minutes – but it helps to protect against the flu bug for around a year.
“The flu is no joke. There’s plenty of misinformation about vaccines online – but it’s important that parents in Edinburgh trust the facts.
“Staff at NHS Lothian are doing a tremendous job with a tough time of year ahead and we should all do our bit to not add unnecessary pressure on the health service.
“If you or your children are eligible, make sure that getting the vaccination is a priority and book an appointment with your GP practice or health board as soon as possible.”
The following groups are eligible for the free flu vaccine:
- Children aged 2-11 years old. 2-5 year olds and not yet in school will be vaccinated at their GP practice. 5-11 year olds will be vaccinated at school during the autumn term. Children must be aged 2 on 1st September 2019.
- Those over 6 months of age with a medical condition which puts them in an ‘at risk’ group such as diabetes, heart or kidney disease, and breathing problems. For a full list of health conditions, see NHS Inform.
- Pregnant women (including those with at risk health conditions).
- Those aged 65 years of age and over.
- Unpaid carers.
- NHS Scotland workers.
The British Lung Foundation is urging people living with a lung condition to take up the offer of a free flu vaccine, as NHS Health Scotland launches the annual public awareness campaign for flu vaccination.
Figures from Health Protection Scotland show that, in 2018/19, only 44.6% of people under 65 with a chronic respiratory condition took up the offer of a free flu vaccine – a 2% decrease on the previous year. Vaccination uptake in this at-risk group is well below the EU target of 75% coverage for seasonal flu vaccination.
Winter deaths hit a record high in Scotland in 2017/18. Of the 4,800 additional deaths over that winter period, one third of those deaths (35%) were due to pneumonia, flu and other chronic lung diseases. Whilst there are different reasons why this is the case, some deaths could be prevented by ensuring that more people with chronic respiratory conditions get the flu vaccination they are entitled to.
Joseph Carter, Head of British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: “People with chronic lung disease are much more vulnerable to the effects of flu. It’s not just older people that are susceptible; for those living with asthma, COPD and other long-term conditions, flu can cause serious problems which can kill if left untreated.
“Last year winter deaths from flu and other lung diseases increased by a third to alarmingly high levels in Scotland. Despite these worrying figures, there continues to be a major shortfall in the number of people with lung conditions getting vaccinated.
“We must work even harder this year to ensure that those who are at greatest risk, and those who care for them, get a flu jab as soon as possible.”
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