Annual influenza surveillance and influenza vaccination uptake reports
Public Health Wales monitors uptake of seasonal influenza immunisation each year.
During each influenza immunisation programme (usually October - March), uptake is summarised every week in the weekly influenza activity in Wales report. Final figures are presented each year at the end of the influenza season in an annual report, which also includes an epidemiological summary of the season.
Latest report
Seasonal influenza in Wales 2023-24
Key points from the 2023/24 report
- 2023/24 saw a mild level of influenza activity compared to the previous season. The sentinel GP ILI consultation rate was above baseline levels for only 2 weeks, much shorter than average (13.5 weeks) and did not reach medium activity levels.
- Overall, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the dominant influenza virus.
- Uptake of influenza vaccine was 72.5% in those aged 65 years and older, compared to 76.3% last season.
- Uptake was 39.1% in patients younger than 65 years in one or more clinical risk groups, which is a decrease compared to 44.2% in 2022/23. Uptake among clinical risk groups was highest in patients with diabetes (51.4%) and lowest in those who were morbidly obese (34.6%).
- Uptake of influenza vaccine in pregnant women was 60.9% (measured in an annual survey of women in major maternity units in January 2024).
- Uptake of influenza vaccine in children aged two and three years, mainly immunised in general practices, was 42.8%. Uptake in children, immunised in schools, aged four to 10 was 61.9%, and aged 11 to 15 was 49.7%.
- Uptake of influenza immunisation in Health Board and NHS staff, reported by Health Board Occupational Health Departments, was 40.8% during 2023/24. Uptake in staff with direct patient contact was 40.5%.
- A total of 107,875 people were immunised against influenza in community pharmacies in 2023/24.
- The total number of individuals in Wales who were immunised against influenza was 922,842 for 2023/24 (around 29% of the population in Wales), compared to an estimated 1,063,495 last season.
2023/24 report summary infographic:
