In Scotland uptake is lower for both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines compared to winter 2022/23. When vaccination falls it means its effectiveness amongst the general population is compromised. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against influenza infection amongst hospital admissions ranged from 54% to 64% for all ages. VE against infection with influenza (all types) among people of all ages in the community was 53% (44 to 60%).

In winter 2023/24, Scotland administered 1,649,855 influenza (Adult 18+), 538,520 influenza (Children 6 months to 17 years) and 1,390,652 COVID-19 vaccines since September 4, 2023. Among adults 65+, 80.0% received influenza, and 79.2% received COVID-19 vaccines by week 6. – Public Health Scotland (15th February 2024)

NHS Orkney is continuing to vaccinate against both Flu and Covid, recognising both can be serious, even for healthy people.

If you are eligible for vaccination and have missed your appointment, or you are a household contact or carer and haven’t yet had your vaccine, please come along to one of the drop-in clinics at The Balfour below:

• Friday 16 February 2pm – 4pm
• Monday 4 March 10am – 12pm
• Monday 11 March 10am – 12pm
• Monday 18 March 10am – 12pm
• Monday 25 March 10am – 12pm

If you require more information regarding your eligibility please call the team on 0300 303 5313, or visit: NHS Inform Winter Vaccines.

In the week ending 11th February 2024 the number of acute COVID-19 admissions to hospital was 143, down from 207 the previous week.

Health Board of Treatment	28 Jan 24	4 Feb 24	11 Feb 24
NHS Ayrshire and Arran	8	12	7
NHS Borders	4	0	1
NHS Dumfries and Galloway	12	4	4
NHS Fife	31	23	9
NHS Forth Valley	16	13	8
NHS Grampian	16	9	8
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	62	53	46
NHS Highland	10	6	5
NHS Lanarkshire	27	22	23
NHS Lothian	36	38	16
NHS Orkney	0	2	1
NHS Shetland	3	0	0
NHS Tayside	14	23	13
NHS Western Isles	1	2	2
Golden Jubilee National Hospital	0	0	0
Scotland	240	207	143

For the same period the number of inpatients with COVID-19 in hospital (seven day average) has decreased to 199 from 270.

Health Board of Treatment	28 Jan 24	4 Feb 24	11 Feb 24
NHS Ayrshire and Arran	20	13	8
NHS Borders	22	17	2
NHS Dumfries and Galloway	5	2	3
NHS Fife	33	24	11
NHS Forth Valley	17	12	11
NHS Grampian	19	17	14
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	114	75	65
NHS Highland	13	12	6
NHS Lanarkshire	38	30	23
NHS Lothian	52	45	42
NHS Orkney	0	1	1
NHS Shetland	1	1	1
NHS Tayside	11	12	10
NHS Western Isles	10	9	1
Golden Jubilee National Hospital	0	0	0
Scotland	354	270	199

The monitoring to pinpoint fragments of coronavirus’ ribonucleic acid (RNA) in local waste water samples continues in Scotland.

The last published sample in Orkney, for Kirkwall waste water system, was on 6th February 2024

Published on 15th February 2024 was the National Records of Scotland weekly deaths.

The provisional total number of deaths registered in Scotland in week 6 of 2024 (5th February to 11th February) was 1,268 (30 or 2% lower than the 5-year average). There were 29 deaths mentioning COVID-19.

Those figures in more detail:

Deaths involving Covid

• Age 45 – 64: 4 deaths, 1 female, 3 male
• Age 65 – 74: 2 deaths, 1 female, 1 male
• Age 75 – 84: 11 deaths, 4 female, 7 male
• Age 85+ : 12 deaths, 7 female, 5 male

There were 29 deaths involving Covid, Covid was the main cause in 17 of them

There were 2 deaths in Care Homes; 3 at Home/ Non Institutional Setting; and 24 in Hospital.

There were 1,268 deaths due to all causes. There were excess deaths (taken over a 5 year average), in Cancer +1; Circulatory +22; and Respiratory +11.

Fiona Grahame