Findings from a paper published in the medical journal, Eurosurveillance, show that fully vaccinated children aged 8 weeks to 17 years were 69% less likely to be hospitalised with whooping cough (pertussis).
The study, which looked at the impact of vaccination on whooping cough-related hospital admissions in children between January 2013 – July 2024, demonstrates the significant protective effect of this childhood vaccination. Being fully vaccinated for their age also reduced the risk of whooping cough-related hospital stays in babies aged 8 weeks to 1 year by 88%.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways, and this latest evidence confirms that unimmunised infants are more likely to develop complications which can require hospital treatment.
The study also found lower vaccine uptake in deprived areas, highlighting the need to focus efforts on addressing the persistent health inequalities that leave some communities more vulnerable with others.
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation Division, PHS said:“This important study clearly highlights the remarkable power of vaccinations to protect children from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases like whooping cough.
“By ensuring children are fully vaccinated, we can dramatically reduce hospitalisations and complications, safeguarding their health and giving families peace of mind.
“Getting immunised during pregnancy is the best way to protect your baby in the first few vulnerable weeks of their life. All pregnant women are eligible for the whooping cough vaccine from week 16 of their pregnancy. The ideal time to get it is between weeks 16 and 32. The whooping cough vaccine is recommended every time you’re pregnant, even if you’ve had the vaccine before.
“It is also extremely important that parents or carers ensure their babies get their whooping cough vaccine which is given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.”
Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwife about getting the whooping cough vaccine; and you can find more about pregnancy and baby immunisations: www.nhsinform.scot/pregnancyandbabyvaccines
Parents are encouraged to contact their local NHS Immunisation team to arrange for their children to get vaccinated if they have missed any doses. Contact details can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/gettingvaccinations or by calling 0800 22 44 88.
If you have any concerns about symptoms of whooping cough, speak to your GP practice or phone 111.
An encouraging new study by Public Health Scotland, in collaboration with the Universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde, confirms the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine provides strong and sustained protection against cervical disease that can develop into cancer.
Data from the study, published in International Journal of Cancer today, show that the HPV vaccine provides protection when administered to girls aged 18 years or less, with the greatest benefits seen in girls vaccinated at age 12-13.
Previous studies have shown that the HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing the development of cervical pre-cancer and cancer. This study using population health data, shows that the vaccine continues to be effective more than 12 years after it was given, in women who came forward for cervical screening.
The research also shows women from Scotland’s most deprived areas benefited the most from vaccination, helping to reduce health inequalities.
HPV is a common virus, usually spread through sexual contact, and responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer – the fourth-most common cause of cancer in women worldwide. Scotland’s routine cervical cancer screening programme and the HPV immunisation programme, introduced in 2008, work together to both reduce the prevalence of HPV and the development of cervical pre-cancer and cancer among women.
The HPV vaccine is offered as a routine immunisation through schools to all S1 pupils in Scotland. It also helps to protect both boys and girls from genital warts and other HPV-related cancers that can develop later in life, such as some head and neck cancers, and other anogenital cancers.
Dr Kirsty Roy, Consultant in Public Health, Public Health Scotland said: “This study showcases both the effectiveness and impact of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical disease, especially as the strong community protection demonstrated by the data may also be contributing to reductions in cervical disease among women in more deprived areas where vaccine uptake is lower.
“Vaccination against HPV is effective in preventing cervical cancer and, along with regular screening for early detection and treatment, it is possible to make cervical cancer a rare disease.
“I would encourage all S1 pupils in Scotland to take up the offer of the free HPV vaccine when it’s offered to protect themselves against future risks. PHS is working closely with Scottish Government and local health boards to ensure the continued uptake of the key cervical cancer prevention measures – the HPV vaccine and routine cervical screening.”
Dr Tim Palmer, University of Edinburgh, Scottish Clinical Lead for Cervical Screening (rtd), said: “This study shows conclusively that the HPV vaccine prevents the changes that can develop into cancer.
“It also emphasises the need for continued high uptake of the vaccine in schools as vaccination at older ages is much less effective. Screening is still important to prevent disease caused by HPV types not covered by the vaccine.”
New data shows 2.4 million rise in patient-GP surgery contact
Health Secretary Neil Gray underlined the Scottish Government’s commitment to shift the balance of care to community settings, as new data shows an increase in the number of times people have accessed care at their GP surgery.
Statistics released by Public Health Scotland yesterday show patients in Scotland had 33.98 million direct encounters with staff in General Practice between October 2024 and September 2025 – an increase of 2.4 million on the same 12-month period in 2023-24.
GP numbers have increased in Scotland and to make it easier for people to access GP services and support recruitment, the Scottish Government is investing an additional £531 million of newly agreed funding in General Practice over the next three years, subject to Parliament agreeing future budgets.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We are determined to improve access to primary care, and I welcome these figures which show more people are accessing care at their GP surgery. I am grateful to our hard-working GPs and all practice staff for the care they provide.
“And while GP numbers have risen in Scotland over the last year, we have put a plan in place to go further.
“We have confirmed that we will invest £531 million over the next three years to significantly boost recruitment and help deliver the capacity needed to improve services for patients. This is the largest-ever investment in core GP services in Scotland.
“This will be supported by our commitment to open 15 new GP walk-in centres providing care from 12pm-8pm seven days per week, making it easier for people to get the care they need in a way that works for them.”
In Scotland, uptake of the MMR vaccine is falling.
Getting babies and children vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases that could, otherwise, lead to serious illness.
Glasgow woman’s mission to tell others: ‘Never miss your breast screening appointment
A retired member of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff, Liz Thomas (71) from Pollock, has been photographed as part of an exhibition to celebrate the resilience, beauty, and strength of women affected by breast cancer.
Liz and three other women chosen for the photoshoot have recently had or are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They were chosen to be part of Pink Ribbon Foundation’s BOLD Scotland Exhibition.
This extraordinary project, captured by award-winning photographer Caroline Sikkenk, is currently displayed in Glasgow’s Princes Square by M as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In addition to taking part in this project, Liz is also using this month to share an important message. She said: “Go for your breast screening when you’re invited.”
In November 2024, Liz attended her routine breast screening appointment at NHSGGC’s Breast Clinic in Nelson Mandela Place. Within a week, she was recalled and asked to bring someone with her.
“I wasn’t expecting good news,” Liz said. “They told me two lumps had been found. I had a biopsy and scans there and then. It turned out I had two Stage 3 tumours.”
Within four weeks, Liz underwent a mastectomy at Gartnavel Hospital, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in early 2025.
“The treatment was tough, physically and mentally, but I met wonderful people along the way. The staff were incredible. We even managed to laugh during chemo. One time, the nurses joked they had to separate me from the other ladies because we were giggling so much. Laughter got us through.”
Liz credits her daughter Jourdana, also an NHSGGC staff member, as her rock throughout the journey. “I have a good life and a great life ahead. Who knows if I’d have that if I hadn’t gone for screening?”
Now, Liz is on a mission. She said: “I tell everyone, my daughter, my friends, even the girl who does my nails, never miss your breast screening appointment. And if you’re over 70, you won’t automatically get a letter. You need to contact the breast screening centre yourself.”
Women aged between 50 and 70 will be invited for breast screening every three years. Those eligible, will be invited by NHSGGC via letter to the address registered with their GP, and people are advised to ensure this is up to date.
Anyone over the age of 70, can make an appointment for breast screening directly via the breast screening service.
The BOLD Scotland exhibition is on display at Princes Square by M. Entry is free, giving everyone the opportunity to witness this inspiring and empowering project.
The Scottish Health Survey 2024 results, published yesterday, provide information on the health, and factors relating to health, of adults and children in Scotland.
Half of all adults now have at least one long-term condition, continuing the upward trend. Almost two in five adults (39%) reporting having a long-term condition that limits their activities.
Eight percent of adults report having doctor-diagnosed diabetes, the highest level recorded.
There has been a decrease in the proportion of adults eating five or more portions of fruit or vegetables per day, with only 11% meeting this guideline compared to 20% in 2021 when the questions were last included.
Food insecurity reduced with 8% of adults reporting being worried about running out of food due to a lack of money or other resources in the last 12 months, a decrease from 14% in 2023 which was the highest level recorded.
New questions on menopause and perimenopause showed that 76% of those who had experienced symptoms had utilised one or more ways of managing them. The largest proportions had utilised physical activity (40%), Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) (38%) and/or vitamins, minerals or supplements (35%).
New questions indicated that prevalence of possible eating disorders among adults, based on self-reported eating behaviours and feelings towards food,was 13%. This was highest among those aged 16-24 (26%).
Other key findings show that in 2024:
The proportion of adults who reported having felt lonely ‘most’ or ‘all of the time’ decreased from 10% in 2023 to 7% in 2024, similar to the proportion recorded in 2021 (8%).
Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma amongst adults reached 18%, the highest proportion recorded.
Prevalence of any CVD (excluding diabetes or high blood pressure) remained in line with recent years at 16% of adults.
In 2023/2024 combined, 15% of adults reported being unpaid carers.
The proportion of adults with a GHQ-12 score of 4 or more, indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder, was 22%, similar to levels in 2021 and 2023 (22% and 21%) and lower than the peak in 2022 (27%).
In 2023/2024 combined, the prevalence of adults with two or more symptoms of depression was 10%, a decrease from 13% in 2021/2022 combined.
Seven per cent of adults reported currently having long COVID, consistent with 2023 (8%) and remaining higher than in 2021 (5%).
Around six in ten adults met the guidelines for moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (62%), a similar proportion as recorded in 2023 (63%).
The prevalence of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption remained at 20% of adults, the same proportion as in 2023 and a decrease from 34% in 2003.
Almost a third of adults (31%) were living with obesity, a similar proportion to 2023 (32%), with a significantly higher proportion of females (35%) living with obesity compared with males (27%).
Fourteen per cent of adults were current smokers the same level as in 2023, maintaining the overall downward trend in prevalence recorded since 2003 (28%).
Current use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices (10%) remained in the range seen since 2022 (10%-12%).
Thirteen per cent of adults met the Scottish Dietary Goal for saturated fat of no more than 10% of energy excluding ethanol.
Less than a quarter (22%) of adults met the Scottish Dietary Goal of free sugars accounting for no more than 5% of energy excluding ethanol.
ASH Scotland calls for smoking cessation service funding transparency as survey shows stagnation of adult smoking rates
ASH Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government and NHS regional health boards to demonstrate increased transparency regarding funding being invested in smoking cessation services, which can help people to give up tobacco and reduce their risks of non-communicable diseases such as cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
ASH Scotland’s call comes as the Scottish Health Survey 2024 findings published today (Tuesday 21 October 2025) by the Scottish Governent show that fourteen per cent of adults were currentsmokers, which is the same level as in 2023.
The charity is raising concern that the Scottish Government has not provided details of its annual funding to health boards specifically for smoking cessation services in 2025/26. The last publicly available figure regarding government annual funding to NHS health boards to deliver specifically smoking cessation services was £7,852,085 invested in 2021/22, a significant reduction from the £9,110,000 allocated in 2016/17.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “With tobacco continuing to be the biggest preventable killer in Scotland causing nearly 9,000 premature deaths each year, it is concerning that there is stagnation in the nation’s overall smoking rate, although we welcome the decrease from 26% down to 23% in our most deprived communities.
“The vast majority of people in Scotland who successfully give up smoking don’t use anything to aid their quit attempts, but it is vital that those who need behavioural support can benefit from NHS Scotland’s free person-centred specialist Quit Your Way services delivered by qualified health professionals which improves the chances of success by three to four times to reach a tobacco-free life and reduce the risk of cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
“As the Scottish Government’s funding for smoking cessation services showed a downward trend between 2016/17 and 2021/22, and no details have been provided for 2025/26, ASH Scotland is calling for increased transparency by the government and regional health boards regarding funding for Quit Your Way services, which are needed to drive progress towards Scotland becoming a tobacco-free nation in 2034.”
The Scottish Health Survey 2024 main report, including a summary of key results, is available on the Scottish Health Survey website.
New research from Public Health Scotland (PHS), conducted in collaboration with Sciensano* and recently published in Public Health, the journal of the Royal Society of Public Health, projects a surge in the number of adult cases of excess weight in Scotland by 2040.
The findings highlight the scale of the challenge for both population health and future care services.
Current estimates from the Scottish Health Survey show that around two-thirds of Scottish adults are overweight, and one-third are living with obesity. These figures are disproportionately higher than other UK nations and among the highest compared to other European Union countries.
This new research analysed data from the Scottish Health Survey and found that, without urgent and sustained intervention, the number of adults who are overweight or living with obesity is set to rise significantly.
Dr Grant Wyper, Principal Epidemiologist, PHS, said:“Our findings highlight the stark challenge ahead. We estimate 3.3 million cases of adult excess weight by 2040, with more pronounced increases for obesity. Between 2025 and 2040, we estimate an additional 118,000 female and 36,000 male cases of obesity.
“Furthermore, recent increases in excess weight among adults aged 65 and above are projected to intensify towards 2040, signalling growing and more complex pressures on Scotland’s health and social care systems in the coming decades.
“These findings should be seen as a clear warning, but the projections are not inevitable. Delivering on the Population Health Framework priority to improve healthy weight is vital.
“Excess weight is linked to a wide range of health conditions, including premature death, meaning that our findings point to the risk of future adverse impacts on population health and unsustainable pressure on healthcare services.”
Claire Hislop RNutr (Public Health), Organisational Lead – Food & Physical Activity, PHS, added:“The time for incremental change is over. The evidence shows we must accelerate progress on bold, preventative measures that reshape the food environment and ensure healthier options are accessible, affordable and widely available.
“At the same time, we must strengthen comprehensive weight management and support services to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. This approach aligns with the ambitions of the Population Health Framework.
“The framework priority for improving healthy weight needs a whole system package of prevention and treatment measures to improve levels of healthy weight, alongside ongoing policy developments to create conditions for better health and reduced inequalities.”
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s recommended you go for your screening appointment when invited. It’s an important part of your NHS diabetic care.
Latest figures highlight 146 children waiting more than a year for mental health treatment, says SCSC
For the third consecutive quarter in a row, there has been continued progress on waiting times for children and young people’s mental health care.
From April to June this year, 91.8% of those referred to CAMHS were seen within 18 weeks, according to the latest statistics from Public Health Scotland. This is a slight increase from 91.6% in the previous quarter, and above the national standard of 90%.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “I welcome the continued progress in these services – staff across Scotland are working hard to ensure children and young people are getting the support they need when they need it, and I am grateful for their continued dedication.
“We have exceeded our promise to provide funding for 320 additional staff for CAMHS by 2026, and this will have contributed to the improvements we are seeing.
“However, I am aware there is still more to do to ensure standards are consistent across the country and we are supporting all NHS Boards to meet the standard and continue development in the delivery of CAMHS and all mental health services.”
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling for parity of action and parity of spend as new figures highlight 146 children and young people have been waiting more than a year for mental health treatment in Scotland.
These figures were highlighted in the latest waiting time statistics from Public Health Scotland published today (2nd September), indicating that 146 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the quarter ending June 2025.1
Additionally, 271 individuals have been waiting for between nine months and a year for treatment.
The figures come out following a Freedom of Information request to NHS Boards that found that in 2024/25, a patient in NHS Highland waited 1189 days – more than three years – for treatment by CAMHS, and in NHS Tayside, a patient has been waiting 1,137 days to start treatment. 2
The Scottish Government’s target, dating back to December 2014, states that 90 per cent of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS.
This comes against the background of a mental health emergency, with an increasing demand on services, exacerbated by the long shadow of the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with overstretched and under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand.
However, it should be noted that despite this greatly increased demand, only 0.82 per cent of the total frontline NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2023/24 financial year, amounting to £134.188 million (real terms). This equates to just 82p in every £100 of the NHS budget. 3
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures highlighting that 146 children and young people have been waiting over a year for mental health treatment are extremely alarming.
“While the fact that the Scottish Government is meeting its waiting time target is to be welcomed, many children and young people are still waiting years for help, which worsens their mental health and is a sure-fire way to add to their pain.
“What we need is not just parity of esteem between mental health and physical health, it’s parity of action and parity of spend.
“We are facing a mental health emergency, and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living. This is also having a negative impact on classroom behaviour, affecting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.
“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to ensure the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people so that they can get the care and support they need, without lengthy waits.”
In response to today’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services figures, chief executive of Children First Mary Glasgow said: “Today’s figures show the importance of keeping the spotlight on children’s mental health.
“The reduction in waiting times is welcome, but while four months is the target, it is still too long, especially when children are suffering in severe distress.
“By urgently investing in more early help and support the Scottish Government can prevent children reaching a point of emergency.
“Every day our support line and our teams across Scotland hear from children and young people with high levels of worry and anxiety coming to us desperate for help.”
“If you are worried about your child our friendly support line team is here for you on 08000 28 22 33.”
