Flu cases fall by nearly half over the Christmas holidays

The number of recorded flu cases in Scotland fell by nearly half over the Christmas holidays, latest figures show.

Data from Public Health Scotland (PHS) shows there were 751 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in the seven days to Sunday 28 December - a 43% drop on the previous week's figures when 1,317 cases were reported.

It is the third consecutive week that case numbers have fallen since a spike in infections in early December.

Earlier this month, PHS said the country may have passed the current peak but warned there can be more than one wave of flu in a season.

Flu-related hospital admissions have also fallen.

The number of acute influenza hospital admissions fell by more than a third (38%) in the latest reporting week, dropping from 716 to 445. The figures for the latest week are provisional.

However, vaccination uptake remains varied.

PHS said those working in health and social care settings were more likely to catch and spread the virus but figures show both groups have some of the lowest uptake rates of all eligible JCVI groups.

Less than 18% of social care workers had received the jab as of 21 December, while just under 42% of health care workers had been vaccinated.

People aged 18 to 64 and at risk of the flu had a similarly low uptake of almost 38%.

In total, 1.4 million flu vaccines have been administered to adults by the NHS this flu season (as of 21 December).

PHS is encouraging everyone who is eligible to book a flu jab.

All over-65s in Scotland, as well as those aged between 18 and 65 defined as being at risk, external, are eligible for a free flu jab from the NHS.

Those aged between 50 and 64, as well as teachers and prison officers, are no longer eligible. The rollout had been extended to include them during the pandemic.

Children aged between two and five and at school age will also receive immunisation administered as a nasal spray.

Those eligible for an NHS vaccine should have already been invited to make an appointment, but if not they can visit NHS Inform.

People not eligible for a free jab can book one privately via a pharmacy. These usually cost around £18 to £20.

You can also find out how to get vaccinated at nhsinform.scot/flu