Baroness Kennedy of Cradley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley on 2015-11-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the rates of flu vaccination so far this winter, and how that compares to previous years.
Lord Prior of Brampton
Flu vaccine uptake rates for groups recommended to be immunised as part of the national flu immunisation programme as at 26 November are shown in the table below for this season and the two previous years. The figures for 2015/16 are provisional and from a sample of about three-quarters of participating general practitioner practices in England.
Flu vaccine uptake rates
|
Eligible groups |
2015/16 (%) |
2014/15 (%) |
2013/14 (%) |
|
Adults aged 65 years or older |
64.6 |
66.7 |
67.0 |
|
At risk groups aged six months to under 65 years (excluding pregnant women without other risk factors) |
36.4 |
42.4 |
43.6 |
|
Pregnant women (including those in risk groups) |
35.6 |
36.6 |
34.0 |
|
Children aged two years old (including those in risk groups) |
25.9 |
28.5 |
34.1 |
|
Children aged three years old (including those in risk groups) |
26.9 |
30.5 |
30.6 |
|
Children aged four years old (including those in risk groups) |
21.9 |
23.9 |
N/A |
Data source: PHE ImmForm weekly sentinel influenza vaccine uptake data collection.
For two to four year olds, vaccine was available about one week later than last year and this seems to be the main explanation for the apparent lower uptake. Communications activity to promote flu immunisation continues – this includes Stay Well This Winter roadshows visiting 67 locations across the country providing advice on flu vaccinations.
