SHOCK LATEST – Scotland’s flu deaths among over 65’s at HALF the level in England – why?

By Professor John Robertson

In the Guardian today:

At least 18,000 deaths in England were associated with flu over the past two winters, figures have revealed, as health experts urge those eligible to take up a free vaccination on the NHS. 1

There’s no breakdown of the two years so, roughly, 9 000 per year, on average.

The Daily Record today, repeated the above shocking headline figures for England, then without any sign of surprise, had:

In Scotland in 2023, 447 people died from flu and so far this year another 345 have succumbed to the illness.2

Regulars and those stats lovers visiting here will see it straight away.

In 2023, all things being equal, pro rata, per head of population, England might be expected to have had 4 470 deaths but had around 9 000, TWICE as many.

Why? All things are not equal after 27 years of devolution and 17 of SNP rule:

Differential vaccine rates?

In Scotland, 2023/2024:

Vaccination uptake rates in the 65 years and over cohort remained high, reaching 79.8%. This is above the World Health Organization’s target ambition of 75%.  3

In England:

From 1 September 2023 to 29 February 2024 in England, cumulative influenza vaccine uptake in GP-registered patients aged 65 years and over was 77.8% compared with 79.9% in 2022 to 2023 . 4

So, flu vaccination rate among over 65’s in England was a statistically insignificant 2% lower than in Scotland but still above the WHO recommendation.

If it’s not the vaccination rate, what else could explain this massive and shocking difference?

  1. More GPs per head of population?
  2. 50% more nurses?
  3. 50% more hospital beds?
  4. Free prescriptions?
  5. Better housing?
  6. Cheaper housing, rents and council tax?
  7. Cleaner water?
  8. Lower crime so lower anxiety?

and so on……

Sources:

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/sep/30/nhs-warns-of-18000-flu-deaths-since-2022-as-it-urges-vaccination-uptake
  2. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/flu-claims-18000-lives-last-33775130
  3. https://www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/publication/8174
  4. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-uptake-in-gp-patients-winter-season-2023-to-2024/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-uptake-in-gp-patients-in-england-winter-season-2023-to-2024#:~:text=over%2018.8%20million.-,Main%20points,35.0%25%20in%202022%20to%202023

The OBA – https://scotsindependent.scot/?page_id=116

11 thoughts on “SHOCK LATEST – Scotland’s flu deaths among over 65’s at HALF the level in England – why?”

  1. I got an email last night with details of the Flu and Covid jags appointment that had been arranged for me. No fuss, clear and concise. It has the place and time and how to change or alter it if needed to suit my circumstances.

    Oh, how I would love to hear for once, praise from what passes as the “Scottish” media for the hard graft of the health professionals, their support staff and their achievements.

    Sadly, they are too busy covering up anything beneficial to the people of Scotland that can be attributed to SNP governance.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. Indeed Stephen.

      In fact I am sure that the BBC in Scotland are at this time most active in trying to seek out those in Scotland who have not yet received any communication on getting their Flu and Covid jags or indeed those who have decided to not take up either both jags or only one of these jags.

      (This will be an ongoing project by the BBC throughout winter and it’s main focus will be to present it as being the fault of the SNP and not via any individual person’s choice).

      The percentage take up of the jag(s) are never presented as being the higher amount but instead the BBC finds a way to promote the lesser amount, as being the more significant number , as in how they present the overall figures , as do other media here too.

      BTW I see Russell Findlay, the new Tory leader (ITO) in Scotland is (already) criticising the SNP for supposdley disrespecting the Royal Family in one of their (rare) Royal visits to both Scotland and to the Scottish parliament.

      Russell Findlay five minutes in the job, who when he won (the poisoned chalice of being the new Tory leader -ITO- in Scotland), he declared that under him as the new leader there would be “Change” (that sounds familiar) yet what does he do.

      Well straight away he does what Douglas Ross had always done as leader (ITO) throughout his short term as their former leader (ITO) and that is attack the SNP to deflect away from the absolute mess of his Tory UK party.

      Seems nothing “Changes” with any pro UK party, or their so called leaders, who all unite as political parties to promote one message which is #SNPBAD. (while ignoring all of the #BAD connected to their respective parties both at a UK and at a branch level).

      Obviously like Labour he, Findlay, fails to understand the true meaning of “Change” when promoted as a pledge from a politician. Or conveniently he, like Labour, said it but never intended to actually implement it.

      So yet again no change there then.

      Like

      Reply

      1. I notice that the Herald has just started a whole load of articles on Scotland’s University Tuition fees. You can guess the line that runs through it.

        The Telegraph today also has a particularly nasty piece about Scotland’s tuition fees and how “England” is paying for this and more and how Scotland should be “forced” to introduce fees for Scottish students.

        This seems to be a new co-ordinated media attack on Scotland’s students and its government. Lets see what nonsense BBC Scotland comes up with 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply

        1. Well Stephen, just like all of the pro UK political parties we also see the pro UK media on both sides of the border co-ordinate their attacks upon the SNP/Scottish government too.

          Because, just like all of the Pro UK political parties, they as a pro UK media refuse to either recognise , acknowledge or indeed praise any positive aspects of any policy that is generated from, endorsed by or implemented by the Scottish government.

          News that Labour may be increasing tuition fees in England then automatically results in the pro UK media attacking free tuition fees in Scotland as that , as a policy, is clearly a benefit for young people from the Scottish government. (it also helps deflect from what the Labour UK government perhaps intend to do in England with Tuition fees increasing further)

          As who I wonder, as a parent or as a young person living in Scotland, whose finances were limited , would then consider it appropriate (or sane) to condemn the Scottish government for offering those young people in Scotland who are academically gifted the opportunity to get free tuition fees and so attend University ?

          Also if attending University was the intention and the ambition of a young person then, who as parents , would want to see their child, as a student, being burdened with even more debt via having to borrow even more money in order to pay a yearly extortionate tuition fee for their course to their chosen University (as is the case in England & Wales) , on top of all of the other expenditure they , as students, will also have as well – such as needing money for food, clothes, rent etc.

          Also not the best way for any young person to start their life , pre, during and post University, in them owning thousands of (extra) pounds (largely because of the way too expensive Tuition fees as is the case in England & Wales).

          Also if their chosen career, post University, pays above the required threshold amount for when the loan must then start being paid back, then as well as them having other monthly financial commitments they will also need to set aside (budget for) some of their monthly salary to pay back their student loan , that as a loan , also needed to cover extortionate tuition fees.- if in Labour’s England & Wales that is .

          Also is interest not charged as well on student loans ?

          I think we all know which government within the UK is putting people first and which other governments focus more (or only) upon other factors.

          Like

          Reply

  2. it is interesting to speculate on what the reasons for the differences might be.
    Since the Scottish media revel in the fact that drugs deaths in Scotland ARE THE HIGHEST IN EUROPE, and are, historically renowned bevviers (check the media attitudes to the raising of the minimal unit price for alcohol, which they class as a ‘whammy’ along with the rise in energy prices) they might try to suggest that Scots are dying from these things and not giving flu a chance.

    Alasdair Macdonald

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. Indeed Alasdair!

      It’s a surprise that there is anyone still alive in Scotland with the Scottish Government’s “failed policies”.

      Maybe the msm could investigate to see if we are all corpses taking handouts from England’s magnificent generosity?

      I think they should get free green power from Scotland to compensate.

      Wait…..

      Like

      Reply

  3. Another great story about our wonderful Scottish NHS….not reported in any media…wonder why……

    Outstanding care led mum to naming baby after her Glasgow NICU Nurse

    The parents of a baby who spent 12 weeks in the Royal Hospital for Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Glasgow have told how they have named their daughter after her nurse, Marnie.

    Little Marnie Adam is now three years old and happily attending nursery in her home of Inverness, however, she had a dramatic entrance into this world – one that her parents Rachel Bizarion and Scott Adam will never forget.

    Marnie was born at 39 weeks at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, but was quickly transferred to the RHC in Glasgow where she met the nurse that she would soon be named after. Her mum, Rachel, shared their story.“Although our pregnancy was smooth, Marnie surprised us at birth with multiple complications. At just 10 hours old, she was airlifted from Raigmore to Glasgow, embarking on her first journey alone as I wasn’t allowed to travel with her as I had just given birth.

    “In Glasgow’s NICU, she was greeted by a remarkable nurse named Marnie McVeigh. This nurse’s compassion and dedication inspired us to name our daughter after her. Nurse Marnie treated our little girl as her own, guiding us through some of the darkest days with unwavering support,” she said.

    For the first eight weeks of her life, the NICU in Glasgow became Marnie’s first home. Marnie underwent three major heart operations and three significant ENT repairs within those initial weeks. Following her time in the NICU, she spent a week in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and three weeks in Ward 3b before she could finally return to Raigmore.

    Rachel continued:

    “The journey was incredibly challenging, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. For weeks, only mummy and daddy could meet her, while our family back home waited patiently and painfully to see her.

    “The doctors, nurses, and surgeons there made us feel like family during our stay. Marnie is our superhero, but so are the entire team who cared for us and continue to do so during both inpatient and outpatient stays. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who gave our girl the strength and determination to overcome those early challenges,” she said.Marnie McVeigh, the Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, was delighted to hear this and shared her thoughts:

    “Making sure families feel supported regardless of distance is challenging, but I’m very glad to be part of a team that values family-integrated care so much that it becomes second nature to us.

    “I may be a little biased, but having Rachel choose Marnie as a final name is pretty awesome as it means I have a lasting link with a family that really needed support through one of the most challenging moments of their early days as a family. I wouldn’t change my job in NICU for anything, and having families keep in touch and give us these stories as feedback is just the icing on the cake for me.”

    September is NICU Awareness Month. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde takes this opportunity to thank all our wonderful NICU staff for their amazing care for patients.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Hello I’d just like to thank you so much for all your information. I am in awe of your work on behalf of Scotland and its drive towards independence.

    With gratitude

    Morag

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to mottensblog Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.