Laboratory confirmed cases of Influenza in Scotland have surged by 24%. As a result the number of acute Influenza admissions to hospital in Scotland are up from 860 to 986, as at the week ending 11 December. Orkney has seen a similar increase in cases.

Most laboratory confirmed flu cases are in those in the 5-14 and 1-4 age groups. Early seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness data show that despite
concerns about the impact of a new mutation of influenza, A(H3N2) in the
UK, that the vaccine is providing good protection against influenza A hospitalisations in Scotland, with a 78% reduced risk of hospitalisation in
ages 2–17 and 37% in those 65 and over.

In the same week the number of inpatients with Influenza in hospital (seven day average) in Scotland was 662, up from the previous week’s of 446. Laboratory confirmed cases of Covid have increased slightly with 83 acute COVID-19 admissions to hospital in Scotland, up from 78. Orkney is following a similar pattern although there were no hospital admissions for Covid for the week ending 7 December.

More data here : Public Health Scotland Surveillance Report.

National Records of Scotland’s weekly report states that there were 37 deaths that mentioned influenza on the death certificate, 16 more than in the previous week. Influenza was the underlying cause in 30 of these deaths. In the same week last year 2024, there were 7 deaths that mentioned influenza.

There were 14 deaths involving Covid in Scotland, none of those were in Orkney.

Vaccinations (as at 11 December) for Scotland for those eligible.

Flu: Adult uptake 50.5%, School aged children 52.4% uptake.

Number of children vaccinated for flu in Scotland

6 Months to 2 Years Flu at Risk	2,798	37.5%
Preschool	58,899	47.7%
Primary	243,641	62.8%
Secondary	158,504	43.2%

Covid: Adult uptake 62.6%

Click on this link for the latest advice about flu, including information about symptoms, vaccination and what to do if your child has cold or flu symptoms at NHS Inform.