Low flu jab uptake for 'at risk'

Vaccination rates amongst older people are on target

The number of "at-risk" patients who have been vaccinated against the flu is well below target, figures have shown.

At the end of December only 35% of those with conditions such as asthma and diabetes, which make them more vulnerable, had received a jab.

The target for uptake for those in the at-risk group is 60%.

However, the figures showed that take-up rates for the elderly were running close to the desired 70%, with 65% of over-65s getting vaccinated.

Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Harry Burns said: "Uptake rates for people in the at-risk groups are not as high as we would like to see so I would urge people with a serious medical condition such as asthma, diabetes or another medical condition that puts you at risk to get their flu jab now if they have not done so already."

As expected a number of NHS boards are facing pressures, but this is what we plan for Andy Kerr Health Minister

However, he claimed it was "excellent news" that older people have been getting injections despite the Europe-wide delay in the delivery of the flu vaccine.

Scotland received 1.3 million individual doses of the flu vaccine - enough to ensure all priority groups, including the elderly and the chronically ill, were offered the jabs.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Andy Kerr said health boards were facing increased pressures.

"Early January is typically a very busy period for the NHS and every year plans are in place to manage these pressures and ensure services are not unduly disrupted," he added.

"As expected a number of NHS boards are facing pressures, but this is what we plan for, and boards are taking the appropriate steps to maintain effective services."