Swinney urges flu vaccination to protect NHS this winter
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney highlighted the importance of the flu vaccine in safeguarding the National Health Service over the coming winter months. He made the comments while receiving his own vaccination in Edinburgh.
The First Minister received the injection from nurse Tina McInnes at NHS Lothian’s Ocean Terminal centre. He qualifies for the jab as an unpaid carer for a family member.
Vaccine eligibility
- People aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with specific health conditions
- Unpaid carers
- Health and social care staff
Rising pressure on hospitals
Last winter, more than 6,500 people in Scotland were hospitalised with flu, putting heavy pressure on NHS services. Despite nearly a million vaccines already administered this season, hospital admissions have risen slightly.
“There’s 980,000 vaccines have been deployed already, and we are seeing, despite all of that, a slight increase in the level of admissions to hospital as a consequence of flu,” said John Swinney.
“We need to be very attentive – that has all been monitored under the health and social care system. A crucial component of this is making sure that we have adequate levels of vaccination so both the public and our health and social care system are protected.”
Author’s summary
John Swinney stressed that mass flu vaccination remains essential to relieve pressure on Scotland’s NHS during the winter surge of illnesses.