Swinney has flu jab and warns vaccine ‘crucial’ to protecting NHS this winter

First Minister John Swinney Receives Flu Vaccine

John Swinney, the First Minister, received his flu vaccine in Edinburgh, emphasizing its importance for protecting the NHS during winter. He was vaccinated by Tina McInnes at NHS Lothian’s Ocean Terminal centre on Thursday.

Who Is Eligible for the Flu Vaccine?

Mr. Swinney qualifies for the vaccine as an unpaid carer for a family member.

Impact of Last Year’s Flu Season

During the last flu season, 6,500 people in Scotland were hospitalized due to flu, which placed significant strain on the NHS.

Vaccine Deployment and Hospital Admissions

Almost one million flu vaccines have been given so far, but there has been a slight rise in hospital admissions linked to flu.

“There’s 980,000 vaccines have been deployed already, and we are seeing, despite all of that, a slight increase in the level of admissions to hospital as a consequence of flu,” Mr. Swinney told PA news agency.
“We need to be very attentive – that has all been monitored under the health and social care system. A crucial component of this is making sure that we have adequate levels of vaccination to members of the public and our health and social care system are protected.”

Summary

The First Minister urges widespread vaccination as vital to safeguarding the NHS amid a rise in flu-related hospital admissions this winter.

Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?

more

Grampian Online Grampian Online — 2025-11-06

More News