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 2024-25
Key points from the 2024/25 report
- 2024/25 saw a medium level of influenza activity compared to previous seasons. The sentinel GP ILI consultation rate was above baseline levels for 11 weeks, similar to the average (13.5 weeks) and was at medium activity levels for 6 weeks.
- Overall, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the dominant influenza virus.
- Uptake of influenza vaccine was 70.4% in those aged 65 years and older, compared to 72.5% last season.
- Uptake was 36.9% in patients younger than 65 years in one or more clinical risk groups, which is a decrease compared to 39.1% in 2023/24. Uptake among clinical risk groups was highest in patients with diabetes (48.5%) and lowest in the morbidly obese (32.1%).
- Uptake of influenza vaccine in pregnant women was 62.1% (measured in an annual survey of women in major maternity units in January 2025.
- Uptake of influenza vaccine in children aged two and three years, mainly immunised in general practices, was 43.7%. Uptake in children, immunised in schools, aged four to 10 was 61.6%, and aged 11 to 15 was 51.9%.
- Uptake of influenza immunisation in Health Board and NHS staff, reported by Health Board Occupational Health Departments, was 34.3% during 2024/25. Uptake in staff with direct patient contact was 34.8%.
- A total of 110,894 people were immunised against influenza in community pharmacies in 2024/25.
- The total number of individuals in Wales who were immunised against influenza was 901,787 for 2024/25 (around 28% of the population in Wales), compared to an estimated 922,842 last season.
2024/25 report summary infographic:
