Influenza vaccine uptake in Scotland

On 10 February 2021, Public Health Scotland (PHS) published its weekly national seasonal respiratory report, containing epidemiological information on seasonal influenza activity in Scotland. As of Week 5, ending 7 February 2021, provisional data showed the incidence rate of influenza was at baseline activity level, or 0.0 per 100,000 of the population.

The data includes the estimated influenza vaccine uptake to the end of Week 3, ending 24 January 2021. The report finds that influenza vaccine uptake in Scotland, in most eligible cohorts, was higher than in previous seasons, although the data are not directly comparable. As of Week 3, provisional data on influenza vaccine were estimated as: 

• 79.6% for those aged 65 years and over 
• 54.8% for those under 65 years old in an at-risk group 
• 45.5% in pregnant women (including those with and without risk factors) 
• 60.7% in preschool children (aged two to under five years, not yet in school) 
• 75.5% in primary school children 
• 41.1% in health and social care staff 
• 55.4% in unpaid and young carers