Scotland could be facing its worst flu season in recent years and NHS Forth Valley is strongly encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Early and unusually high flu activity has been reported in Scotland, especially among young children. For this reason, NHS Forth Valley is also running a range of drop-in clinics for any children aged 2 – 5 who were unable to attend their flu vaccination appointment. Children are given the vaccine in the form of a nasal spray and this not only protects them from becoming seriously unwell but also prevents them from spreading the virus to other people.

Drop-in Flu Vaccination Clinics for children aged 2 – 5

• Falkirk Community Hospital – Monday to Friday 08.30 – 19.30 and Saturday 08.30 – 15.30.
• Stirling Health and Care Village – Monday to Friday 08.30 – 19.30 and Saturday 08.30 – 15.30 (apart from Tuesday 25 November, Friday 28 November and Tuesday 2 December)
• Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre – Monday to Friday 08.30 – 19.30 and Saturday 08.30 – 15.30 (apart from Wednesday 19 November, Monday 24 November, Thursday 27 November, Saturday 29 November, Monday 1 December, Wednesday 3 December, Thursday 4 December, Friday 5 December and Saturday 6 December.)

Dr Kim Marsh, Viral Respiratory Pathogens lead for Public Health Scotland said: “Flu has arrived about a month earlier than usual in Scotland, and cases are rising rapidly.

“Early data across the UK suggest that a new strain with additional mutations could be playing a role. The Influenza A(H3N2) strain is known for causing more severe illness compared to other strains.”

Recent data from Australia, which has experienced its most significant flu outbreak in seven years, suggests that the UK may encounter similar levels of infection this winter, meaning that NHS services could be facing increased pressures over the winter period, and individuals, particularly those with certain underlying conditions, could become very unwell.

Unlike the common cold, flu hits fast and hard. It’s caused by a different group of viruses and can leave you feeling wiped out for days, or even weeks. Individuals, especially older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk of becoming more seriously unwell with flu. Children are also “superspreaders’ as they can transmit flu easily to other people.

The vaccine is your best protection against flu as, if you do catch it, your symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long which significantly reduces the needing to go be admitted to hospital for treatment.

Dr Jennifer Champion, Director of Public Health, NHS Forth Valley, said: “With the recent focus on Covid-19 it’s easy to forget that flu can be a very serious and, in some cases, life threatening illness.

“Every year in Scotland, thousands of people are hospitalised; getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself, your family and friends this winter. Ensuring that young children are vaccinated also helps reduce the spread of the flu in local communities.”

Those eligible for a flu vaccine will be sent an appointment letter and anyone who has missed or needs to reschedule their appointment can contact NHS Forth Valley’s vaccination team at fv.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot or phone 0800 130 3120 during normal office hours. More information about vaccines and eligibility is available on the NHS Inform website.

Additional Information

The following key groups are eligible for the flu vaccine this winter:-

• Those aged 65 and over
• Those aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
• All primary and secondary school children, children aged 2-5 who are not yet at school, and children aged 6 months to 2 years who have certain eligible health conditions.
• Pregnant women
• People in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
• Those living with someone who has a weakened immune system
• Unpaid or young carers
• Health and social care workers