‘Alarming’ fall in at-risk people getting flu jabs
THERE has been an “alarming” fall in the number of at-risk people taking up the flu jab.
The Scottish Government is failing to ensure jabs are given to enough people deemed at risk of falling seriously ill, according to new data.
The uptake of flu vaccinations among the under-65 at-risk group fell to 48% in 2015/16 and is on course to be just 42% this year.
Health chiefs have been urged to take action after the figure dropped from 57% in 2013/14.
And the rate of vaccinations for the shingles virus – a reactivation of the chicken pox bug – was extremely low among some elderly people – 23%, and 22% for those aged 76 and 77 last year.
Miles Briggs, Lothian MSP and the Scottish Conservative spokesman on public and mental health, said Health Secretary Shona Robison risked exacerbating strains on the NHS over winter unless she took flu and shingles prevention more seriously.
He said: “Given the strains on our acute health services, it is concerning that uptake rates for shingles and flu vaccines appear to be so low and in decline in key categories. Shingles and flu can be very serious indeed for older people and those with long-term health conditions.
“It is especially alarming that the number of people under-65 and at risk who were vaccinated for flu in 2015/16 was only 48%, a big decline compared to the 57.4% who had the vaccine in 2013/14.
“The Scottish Government needs to look at how it can do more to encourage all those who would benefit from the shingles and flu vaccines to have them and thus reduce the pressure on our acute health services.”
It comes after the British Medical Association warned the health service in Scotland was being “stretched pretty much to breaking point”.
Chairman Peter Bennie said staffing shortages and austerity were pushing the service to the brink.
But the Scottish Government said the final figure for 2016/17 was likely to record an increase in vaccination uptake.
Minister for Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell said: “The Scottish Government encourages GP surgeries to proactively offer the flu and shingles vaccine to all eligible patients.
“I would urge anyone who thinks that they are eligible to contact their doctor as soon as they possibly can.”