What the take-up rate of flu vaccine has been for (a) under fives, (b) five to 17-year-olds, (c) 18 to 24-year-olds, (d) 25 to 60-year-olds…

Influenza vaccine uptake is monitored by Health Protection Scotland based on aggregate level data for all population groups eligible for free influenza vaccine in Scotland. These population groups (as defined by their age and/or by the presence of underlying chronic health conditions) are listed in table 1. These groups have been identified as being at increased risk of influenza infection and severe presentation or complications of influenza infections, and/or as posing an increased risk of transmitting influenza to vulnerable individuals. Data are collected at the aggregate level and a breakdown by the age groups requested in the question is not routinely available. We have therefore provided the standard data for the eligible groups. The population groups recommended to receive the influenza vaccine have changed over the years as new evidence is considered by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the eligible groups are stated annually as part of the Chief Medical Officer's seasonal influenza vaccination letter. Vaccine uptake for the different groups is derived from a number of data sources, which are described in more detail below.
Table 1: Cumulative influenza vaccine uptake in Scotland by eligible group over the last five influenza seasons (October to mid-May).
Eligible group
2010-11
(end of season)
2011-12
(end of season)
2012-13
(end of season)
2013-14 (end of season)
2014-15 (to week ending 30 November 2014)
65 years and older1
76.2%
76.6%
77.4%
77.0%
71.1%
Under 65-year-old in a clinical at risk group2
56.1%
59.7%
59.2%
60.5%
46.2%
Pregnant women in a clinical at risk group3
74.8%
60.0%
68.7%
65.0%
56.5%
Pregnant women not in a clinical at risk group3
64.9%
39.6%
52.9%
47.9%
39.4%
Two and three year-old children4
NA
NA
NA
50.6%
NA
Two to under five-year-old children not yet in school5
NA
NA
NA
NA
45.1%
Primary school pilots6
NA
NA
NA
67.2%
NA
Full primary school implementation7
NA
NA
NA
NA
Cumulative uptake was 53.7%
(average uptake of 71.2% per school session already held)
1. End of season vaccine uptake for seasons 2010-11 to 2013-14 for the 65 years and older group is based on GP claims for payments for influenza vaccinations. In season vaccination uptake estimates for season 2014-15 for this group is based on weekly automated extracts from GP software.
2. End of season vaccine uptake for seasons 2011-12 to 2013-14 for the under 65-year-olds in a clinical at risk group (excluding pregnant women without clinical risk group and carers) is based on GP claims for payments for influenza vaccinations. End of season vaccine uptake for season 2010-11 and in season vaccination uptake estimates for 2014-15 for this group is based on weekly automated extracts from GP software.
3. End of season vaccine uptake estimates for seasons 2010-11 to 2013-14 and in season vaccine uptake estimates for season 2014-15 for pregnant women in a clinical risk group and pregnant women not in a clinical risk group are based on weekly automated extracts from GP software. Particularly high uptake of vaccination in season 2010-11 was associated with media coverage of cases of severe influenza infections in pregnant women, some with fatal outcome.
4. In 2013-14 all two and three-year-old children (regardless of whether or not they were in a clinical at risk group, age as on 1 September 2013) were eligible for influenza vaccination, as partial implementation of the extension of the seasonal influenza programme to all children. End of season vaccine uptake estimates for season 2013-14 is based on weekly automated extracts from GP software.
5. In season 2014-15 eligibility for influenza vaccination was extended to all two to five-year-old children not yet in school (regardless of whether or not they were in a clinical at risk group, age as on 1 September 2013). End of season vaccine uptake estimates for seasons 2014-15 based on weekly automated extracts from GP s