The number of deaths involving flu in the first week of this year was almost quadruple that of the same time last year, figures show. Statistics released by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) on Thursday show 71 people died in the first week of 2025 where flu was mentioned on their death certificate. This is compared to 18 in the first week of 2024.
The NHS has been dealing with an “extraordinary” flu outbreak this winter, which has contributed to pressure on the health service, with ministers and clinicians urging those who are eligible to get vaccinated. In the final week of 2024, the number of deaths recorded was 43.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said the figures are “deeply concerning”, as he urged the Health Secretary to “pull out all the stops”.
He said: “The devastating consequences of limiting flu vaccinations this year as well as a reduction in the uptake are clear for all to see, but the SNP failed to listen. This appalling neglect from the SNP has left people and our hospitals at the mercy of an upsurge in admissions due to flu, which has ultimately led to dozens of deaths in the last week alone.
“The SNP’s inaction has already left our NHS in a state of complete chaos and unprepared to deal with an event like this. It is time for Neil Gray as Health Secretary to pull out all the stops to encourage everyone eligible to get their flu vaccination and ensure frontline services have the resources they need to support every patient who is admitted with flu.”
The figures come as the number of hospital admissions with flu fell. Public Health Scotland (PHS) data shows while there were 1,596 admissions for influenza in the last week of 2024, they dropped 36% to 1,021 in the first week of the new year.
The fall came despite an increase in people going to their GP “for influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infections” in the first week of January, when practices reopened after the festive break.
PHS added that community surveillance shows a decrease in test positivity for influenza A – dropping from 50.8% in the final week of last year to 38.9% in the first week of 2025. Despite the fall in hospital admissions, Gray said there are still “significant winter pressures” on the NHS.
He said the Government is in contact with “key partners in the NHS and social care”, with First Minister John Swinney chairing regular meetings.
Gray said: “Although the latest statistics show hospitalisations because of flu have decreased, it is clear that the health and social care system continues to face significant winter pressures, including cases of influenza A, which remain high.”
He urged people to act to cut their risk of catching the virus, saying: “Everyone can reduce the chance of catching flu or spreading it to others with good hand hygiene and other precautions, staying home if you have respiratory symptoms and, most crucially, getting the vaccination if eligible. The groups eligible for the flu vaccine this winter are more likely to experience serious illness or complications from flu due to older age or underlying health conditions.
“I therefore urge all those who are eligible for vaccinations this winter to come forward as soon as possible to protect themselves.”
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