Area has highest flu jab uptake
This year NHS Tayside has had the highest uptake of flu vaccine of over 65s of all Scotland’s mainland health boards.
The latest figures show 80.9 per cent of over 65s in the Tayside area have been vaccinated.
The figures were revealed as NHS Tayside’s board met on December 17.
The health board aimed to vaccinate more people than ever before as a result of the COVID-19 virus circulating too.
Dr Emma Fletcher, the newly appointed NHS Tayside director of public health, told the board she expected more people to be vaccinated against flu in the region.
She said:“We anticipate the uptake will continue to increase. That’s not a final figure and we expect it to be higher.”
Eligible residents in Perth and Kinross who have not already had the vaccine will be encouraged to do so.
This year’s flu vaccination programme has been delivered differently.
As in previous years it has been administered in GP practices, hospitals and community pharmacies but it has also been administered in more unsusual settings such as outpatient departments, council venues and care homes - all on an appointment/scheduled basis and with COVID-19 precautions in place.
The current uptake of those in the under-65s at risk category is 53.2 per cent - above the Scottish average.
The uptake among health and social care staff has also risen to 61 per cent - the highest number of staff vaccinations carried out in Tayside.