Flu deaths reach all time high in Scotland with 463 dead this year (2025)

So far 463 people have died where flu was the underlying cause - almost double to the numbers for the same period last year.

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A record number of Scots have died from flu in the first 14 weeks of the year.

So far 463 people have died where flu was the underlying cause - almost double to the numbers for the same period in 2024 and the largest number since modern records began in 1979. Analysis from Asthma and Lung UK Scotland shows 2025 is set to be the worst year for flu deaths in the last 46 years.

The charity is now calling on the Scottish Government to offer flu jabs to everyone in the 50-64 age group - who were excluded from the national vaccination programme this year - to reduce flu deaths.

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma and Lung UK Scotland, said: “We knew that flu was particularly bad this winter but these statistics are truly shocking. With the worst flu seasons in recent years, we saw hospitals across Scotland at breaking point but now is the time for practical long-term solutions.

“We need to learn from this devastating winter and vaccinate far more people.

“Removing the 50–65-year-old group from being eligible for the flu jab removed almost half a million people from the list and sent the wrong message that flu was less serious.

“We would urge the Scottish Government to offer free flu vaccines to 50-64-year-olds as happened in Northern Ireland this year.

“Vaccinating more people will not only reduce the spread of flu but will also help to protect the most vulnerable as well, easing the enormous pressures on the NHS.

“The fact that people with lung conditions are seven times more likely to die if they catch flu compared to healthy adults means we also need better year-round care for people with chronic lung conditions to help stop hospital admissions.”

So far in 2025, there have been 463 deaths where flu was the underlying cause and 567 where flu was mentioned on the death certificate.

The last year the numbers was anywhere close to this year, was 1989 when 457 died in the first 14 weeks of the year.

Information from Public Health Scotland shows that overall flu vaccinations this winter are down by a fifth with more than 350,000 fewer vaccines administered.

In 2023/24, almost 1.65 million people received a flu vaccine, with numbers falling to under 1.3 million in winter 2024/25.

There has been a huge fall in the numbers in deprived areas getting their jabs with 24% fewer vaccines and, worryingly, there has been a 31% drop in social care workers and a 13% drop in health care workers having them.

Carter added: “With the Respiratory Care Action Plan coming to an end, the Scottish Government needs to develop a new fully funded strategy to prevent, diagnose and treat people living with lung conditions like COPD and asthma.

“Deepening health inequalities is also an issue, with Scotland’s poorest communities seeing higher mortality rates associated with lung conditions than the more affluent.”