LESSONS must be learned from a “shocking” flu season which saw the number of deaths in Scotland double in a year, a charity has warned.

Figures from the National Record of Scotland show 463 people died of the illness in the first fortnight of 2025, compared with 240 a year earlier, after vaccinations plummeted from 1.65m to 1.3m over the last year since 50 to 65-year-olds lost eligibility.

Arguing the move “sent the wrong message,” Asthma and Lung UK Scotland’s Joseph Carter said: “These statistics are truly shocking.

“With the worst flu seasons in recent years, we saw hospitals across Scotland at breaking point.

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

As people with lung conditions were seven times more likely to be killed by flu, he added: “The Scottish government needs to develop a new, fully funded strategy to prevent, diagnose and treat people living with lung conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said “the vast majority of those with lung conditions” remained eligible for a free jab and “would encourage them to come forward for vaccination in winter 2025.”