May 2011 Influenza in the UK ( ) HPA Report ‘Surveillance of influenza & other respiratory viruses in the UK’ (May 2011)

Seasonal Flu in 2010 / 2011 in the UK - summary Seasonal flu activity in 2010/11 was higher than previous winter H1N1 ‘swine flu’ was the dominant strain Small proportion of cases resulted in serious illness or death, predominantly 602 people died in the UK with confirmed influenza >90% of deaths were from influenza A H1N1 ‘swine flu’ 40 deaths associated with influenza B Traditionally the elderly have been more seriously affected by seasonal flu but the picture changed for 2010 / 2011

Seasonal Flu in 2010 / 2011 in the UK – summary (2) Young & middle aged (15 – 64 years) ‘bore the brunt’ of influenza last winter (2010 / 2011 season) Compared with other age groups the year age group were: most likely to have visited their GP most likely to have been admitted to hospital >70% of fatal cases (415 / 602) were in this age group

Seasonal Flu in 2010 / 2011 in the UK – summary (3) Clinical ‘at risk’ groups & > 64years: Nearly 70% of those who died were in a clinical ‘at risk’ group Information on vaccine history was available for just >50% of these people and 75% had not received flu vaccine 20% of confirmed deaths were in >64 years (122 / 602)

Seasonal Flu in 2010 / 2011 in the UK – summary (4) Children: 9 deaths in children < 12 months 16 deaths in children aged 1 – 4 years 25 deaths in children 5 – 14 years

Seasonal Flu in 2010 / 2011 in the UK – summary (5) Pregnant women: 9 deaths were reported in pregnant women All pregnant were offered flu vaccine in 2010 / 11 as they were ‘disproportionally affected by the H1N1 strain during the pandemic’ Just 37% of healthy pregnant (in England) were vaccinated 57% of pregnant women with underlying conditions were vaccinated

Seasonal Flu in 2010 / 2011 in the UK – summary (6) Differences in reporting across UK countries – by country & region Reflects differences in population size & profiles + variation in local reporting mechanisms 96 deaths reported in the North West (474 in England) A further 91 probable cases are still under investigation to confirm flu as the cause of death

Vaccination (England) uptake 73% of >65 years were vaccinated – slightly up from the 2009 / 10 season 50% of adults <65 years in an ‘at risk’ group, eligible for vaccination, were vaccinated – down from 2009 / 10 Concern that only half of eligible adults took up offer of flu vaccination & particularly that only third (37%) of healthy pregnant women were vaccinated

Issues for the 2011 / 2012 season Influenza is a preventable infection Need for a concerted effort to encourage those ‘at risk’ to take up offer of vaccination Vaccination is the best way to protect against flu