More Scots offered flu jab

The flu virus can cause misery

Scotland's largest flu immunisation campaign is to be launched in an attempt to avoid the crisis that hit the NHS last winter.

Health Minister Susan Deacon promised that, this year, 250,000 more Scots in at-risk groups will be offered the vaccine free of charge.

Ms Deacon said that more resources were also being targeted at "pressure points" in the health service

The NHS was stretched to breaking point in January in what has been described as Scotland's worst flu outbreak for a decade.

Everything that could have been done, has been done

Health Minister Susan Deacon

The minister has announced that £10m is being spent on the immunisation programme.

That includes posters, television advertising and leaflets to let the public know of the service.

Spending on intensive care beds, one of the areas worst affected in January, has also been stepped up.

Ms Deacon said that she wanted to reassure that public that: "Everything that could have been done, has been done."

She said: "I hope that Scots who will benefit from the flu jab will take this opportunity to get at that.

Anyone over 65 can now have a jab

"It is good for them and good for the health service.

"The flu immunisation campaign is targeted to those groups who have been identified by medical experts as those who would be at most risk from getting flu.

"That means everyone aged 65 and over - that's more older people than ever before being offered the jab - and those with chronic illnesses.

"The important thing is that anyone who thinks that they may be at risk and who might benefit from this, should seek that advice of their doctor."

The minister said the winter information campaign would be aimed at all age groups in the community.

'Best medical advice'

She said: "All of us can take steps to help ourselves in those situations.

"The important thing about the flu immunisation campaign is that it targets flu vaccination to those who would most benefit from it, based on the best possible expert advice."

"Anyone who would be considered by medical experts, by a doctor, to benefit from the jab will be offered it free of charge on the NHS.

Key areas have been targeted

"The important thing is to make sure that those who will benefit from immunisation get access to it. Remember these are not judgements taken by politicians, these are based on the best possible medical advice.

Asked for an assessment of the problems from last winter, Ms Deacon said: "We don't know what winter holds. We never do.

"Last year we saw probably the worst flu outbreak for a decade, but people have worked very, very hard to make sure that preparations are in place and this flu immunisation campaign is a major part of that.

"If you remember last winter, one of the main pressure points was in intensive care, because of the number of older people in particular requiring ventilation both through flu and other respiratory infections.

"That's an area that we have targeted investment to this year.

Different strains

"We can never predict everything that will come along, but I think, this year, that government and the NHS has done more than ever before to be as well prepared as possible.

The development of the vaccine is done many months ahead of winter and is done on the basis of medical advice as to which strain.

There are different strains worldwide and different strains from year to year.

Ms Deacon said she was as confident as she could be that they had got the right vaccine prepared.

She added; "Last winter I saw some of the worst levels of infection in flu that there had been for many, many years.

"We don't know what any winter holds, but I can certainly assure Scots that as much that can be done, has been done in the current winter and I think that that's a very important step forward."