Research and analysis

HPR volume 12 issue 18: news (25 May)

Updated 21 December 2018

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UK seasonal influenza annual report 2017 to 2018 in summary

Moderate to high levels of influenza activity were seen in the UK during the winter of 2017 to 2018, with influenza B and influenza A(H3) co-circulating.

The public health impact was predominantly seen in older adults – with many care home outbreaks being recorded. Peak admission rates to hospitals and ICUs were the highest seen for the last 6 seasons, according to laboratory-confirmed case data. Levels of excess all-cause mortality were elevated, particularly in the elderly, as they had been in the 2016 to 2017 season, but were lower than observed in 2014 to 2015 in England and Wales; in Scotland, excess mortality was higher in 2017 to 2018 than in the recent past few seasons.

Activity from other circulating respiratory viruses – including RSV, rhinovirus, adenovirus and parainfluenza – was similar to that reported in recent years. Surveillance continues in the UK for 2 novel respiratory viruses with high case-fatality ratios and a risk of importation to the UK: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV, prevalent in the Middle East, and avian-origin influenza A(H7N9), prevalent in Eastern China.

These are among the conclusions of PHE’s annual report on influenza and other respiratory viruses in the UK during the winter of 2017 to 2018 [1]. The annual report, which presents data on flu-related mortality and morbidity, and virological data, for the whole of the UK, is produced by the influenza surveillance team at PHE’s National Infection Service, in close collaboration with the health protection bodies and laboratories of the devolved administrations, and other national data.

Influenza vaccine uptake and effectiveness

A brief summary of influenza vaccine uptake in England and the devolved administrations is included in the annual report. Uptake in England was higher than last season across all target groups, including among 65+ year olds (72.6%) and healthcare workers (72.6%).

Separate reports, for England, on vaccine uptake among GP patients [2], among healthcare workers [3] and that achieved by the national childhood flu vaccination programme [4] have also been published.

References

  1. PHE (24 May). Surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses in the United Kingdom: winter 2017 to 2018.

  2. PHE (24 May). Seasonal flu vaccine uptake in GP patients: winter 2017 to 2018.

  3. PHE (24 May). Seasonal flu vaccine uptake in healthcare workers: winter 2017 to 2018.

  4. PHE (24 May). Seasonal flu vaccine uptake in children of primary school age: winter 2017 to 2018.

Vaccine coverage and vaccine-preventable disease reports in this issue of HPR

The following vaccine coverage and vaccine preventable disease reports are published in this issue:

Vaccine coverage reports

Vaccine preventable disease reports

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