Flu death risk for vulnerable Scots

Published on Saturday 6 December 2008 18:41

HUNDREDS of thousands of Scots are at risk of serious illness or death this winter because they have not received a flu jab, experts warned last night.

Take-up of the vaccination, offered free of charge to the elderly and those under 65 suffering chronic illnesses, is falling short of its target among some patients.

While more than 69% of Scots over the age of 65 have been immunised, just short of the 70% target for the elderly this year, hundreds of thousands of eligible Scots under 65 have not gone to their GP for the jab.

So far, just over 41% of those under the age of 65 suffering chronic diseases such as asthma, heart conditions and diabetes have taken up the offer of a free jab, well short of the 60% target for the group.

Last night public health experts warned those suffering from chronic conditions to visit their GP and get the jab.

The revelation means that up to 358,000 Scots under 65 who are eligible for the jab have not had it. A total of 113,220 must receive it in order for the Scottish Government to meet the target.

The poor take-up among some groups of patients comes despite a 475,000 Scottish Government public awareness campaign, "Don't let the flu turn on you".

Up to 12% of children and adults under 65 suffer from chronic conditions that make them extremely vulnerable to the devastating effects of flu. They include breathing problems, heart problems, kidney or liver disease and lowered immunity from treatments such as chemotherapy. There are also concerns about a new superflu detected in Scotland which is resistant to one of the most common anti-viral treatments.

Dr Jim McMenamin, chairman of the national flu campaign, urged Scots to consider whether they were eligible for the free jab. He said: "Currently, uptake of the flu vaccine is greater among the over-65s than the under-65s at risk of complications from flu.

"Flu is unpredictable and in any season the peak can occur between October and March. Particularly during cold spells we see an increase in deaths and hospitalisations from falls and hypothermia. Although some are caused by traumas or accidents, there are also people who succumb to the cold and become hypothermic.

"As a doctor I have seen the worst things that can happen with flu and I do not want that to happen to anyone."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We specifically target the two groups eligible for the free flu jab who are at greatest risk from the effects of flu – those over the age of 65, and those under 65 with long-term conditions, such as asthma, who can suffer the most if they catch the virus."