Concern over fall in flu vaccine uptake across East Midlands

A campaign being run by the UK Health Services Agency is seeking to offer a reminder in the East Midlands to get 'winter strong’ with vaccinations to fight off the onslaught of seasonal viruses.

Latest data shows flu vaccine uptake among all those eligible to receive the jabs in the East Midlands dropped last winter compared with the previous year.

While uptake in older people remained high across the region at 78.1% last year, it was below the figure for the 2022/2023 season (80.3%).

In the East Midlands, only 4 in 10 (42%) people with long-term health conditions were vaccinated last season compared to 45.9% the previous year, with the lowest rates seen in Nottingham (36%) and Leicester (36.6%).

Less than 40% of 2-and-3-year-olds received protection from flu, down from almost 43% the previous year, with vaccination rates reaching only 33% in Leicester and Nottingham.

Only a third of pregnant women took up the offer of a flu jab, with rates dipping as low as 27.6% in Leicester and 29.7% in Nottingham.

The figures come as latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows over the past two winters (Oct – May 23-24 and 22-23) at least 18,000 deaths were associated with flu, despite last winter being a relatively mild flu season.

In the same two-year winter period, the estimated number of deaths in England associated with COVID-19 was just over 19,500.

The latest mortality figures are a stark reminder that flu is a deadly virus, particularly for older people and other groups at greatest risk.

Dr Vanessa MacGregor, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA East Midlands, said: “As winter approaches we are likely to see many viruses circulating, which can cause severe and even life-threatening illness for those most at risk. And with people socialising more indoors these viruses spread much more easily. Getting vaccinated ahead of winter is by far your best defence.

“If you’re pregnant or have certain long-term health conditions you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill. Older people and young infants with flu are also much more likely to get hospitalised.

“So, if you or your child are offered the flu, COVID-19 or RSV vaccines, don’t delay in getting them. Please speak to your nurse or doctor if you have any concerns.”

National evidence shows the significant impact from last year’s flu vaccine with a 30% reduction in the number of those aged 65 and over being hospitalised and a 74% reduction in those between 2 and 17 years of age.

To help reduce the impact of winter viruses on those most at risk, as well as ease NHS winter pressures, the UKHSA - with Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England – has launched a scaled-up Get Winter Strong campaign.

The campaign will urge those eligible to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccination when invited, ahead of winter, targeting those at greatest risk and for the first time will encourage pregnant women to also get their RSV and whooping cough vaccination.

Last year saw a sudden increase across England in the number of people having to be hospitalised, due to a flu peak in the week leading up to Christmas and then again at the end of January.

Pregnant women and older people aged 75-79 are also eligible for a RSV vaccination for the first time this year, with the maternal vaccine providing strong protection for newborns in their first few months, when they are most at risk of severe illness from RSV.

The Get Winter Strong campaign will run for 10 weeks and will appear on a number of media platforms.