Flu Deaths Rise in Scotland: How can Community Pharmacy in Scotland Help?

Published: 17/04/25

This week The Scotsman newspaper revealed that Scotland is on course for the highest number of annual flu deaths in almost half a century after more than than 350,000 fewer vaccines were given this winter.

---

The statistics from the National Records of Scotland unveiled that there have been 463 deaths this year already where flu was the underlying cause - a record number of people in the first 14 weeks of the year after a “devastating winter”.

The Scottish Government said the decline was mainly driven by the removal of the NHS vaccine eligibility of the healthy 50-64 year-olds group.

So how can the community pharmacy network help?

In August 2024 Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government released Scotland’s 5 Year Vaccination and Immunisation Strategy and Delivery. Through consultation they asked for open comment on the strategy and delivery plan. 

Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) recognised, in its response to the consultation, the need for equitable access to vaccination; community pharmacies are situated across Scotland, in urban and rural areas, close to where people live and work. On this basis, inclusion of the community pharmacy network in the Immunisation and Vaccination Delivery Plan would help to support vaccination uptake as a valuable addition to the other routes through which vaccination will be provided. CPS strongly advise that community pharmacies in Scotland should be involved with the delivery of a ‘Once for Scotland’ approach to vaccination and immunisation as part of the wider primary care system.  

Just across the border, in England, 3.77 million flu vaccinations were administered by community pharmacy teams as part of an annual national service in the 2023/24 season. It is the convenience and choice afforded by community pharmacy that sees even those eligible for an NHS vaccine booking in with our members for their private service each year – particularly in cohorts who are vulnerable but still a part of the country’s workforce so less able to attend scheduled appointments.

CPS believes the community pharmacy network should be commissioned to support the national flu and COVID vaccination programmes each year as part of our wider ambition to deliver more in the preventative health landscape. Targeting harder-to-reach populations, helping to address health inequalities and being available to deliver more vaccinations as an alternative supply route is how CPS knows the network can help. This is one of the areas we are lobbying for on our members behalf. 

---