Influenza - Vaccinations

Vaccination monitoring

Influenza vaccine uptake in Scotland can be estimated from the number of vaccines administered in each general medical practice. GPs are required to return a count of all patients vaccinated to the Practitioner Services Division (PSD) of NHS National Services Scotland for payment purposes. For patients aged 65 and over, this allows a calculation of the uptake rate across all practices submitting claims for payment.  A large majority of practices across Scotland (87% for 2007/08) are included in these calculations but not all; for example in NHS Board-run practices, such claims for payment are not submitted to PSD.  Information is not collected centrally on the administration of vaccines in hospitals or through occupational health schemes.

An improved awareness campaign regarding the availability of influenza vaccination has probably been a major contributory factor in the increase in uptake since 1999. GP practices are encouraged to ensure that patients on their list who are regarded as 'priority cases' are indeed vaccinated. Promotional material for patients is also available, for example at www.infoscotland.com/flu

A Scotland wide target to vaccinate 60% of all patients aged 65 and over was set for 2000/01. This target was raised to 65% for 2001/02 and to 70% for 2002/03 and later years. Recorded uptake rates for 2000/01 to 2007/08 were 65.9%, 64.9%, 68.9%, 72.5%, 71.7%, 77.8%, 75.2% and 74.1%, respectively, of the target population (patients aged 65 and over). The uptake rate for influenza vaccine amongst those 65 and over was highest in the 2005/06 season, which may be related to fears about the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza to humans from wild birds and poultry and increased global preparedness for pandemic influenza. Despite a mild winter and little media attention around flu issues, the target uptake in patients aged 65 and over was again more than met in 2007/08.

Percentage of those aged 65 and over who received a flu vaccination
2000/01 to 2007/08 (note truncated Y axis)

Note: due to issues regarding implementation of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract in Highland NHS Board the 2004/05 uptake figures exclude data from this Board.

Source: Practitioner Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland.

From the 2004/05 season onwards, GPs have been asked to provide an estimate of influenza vaccination uptake for those under the age of 65 in high-risk groups (who are at higher risk of developing complications). The uptake target was set to 60% of the people in clinical high-risk groups. For the 2006/07 season, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) estimate that vaccine uptake amongst general practice patients aged under 65, across all high-risk chronic disease groups, was around 38% overall.  For 2007/08 the overall under 65 at-risk uptake estimate had risen to 44%, varying over chronic disease groups from 35% (chronic liver disease) to 60% (diabetes).  However, since the figures are from a sample of practices only (roughly 60% in 2006/07 and 67% in 2007/08) and do not include a full season’s data they should not be regarded as final uptake figures and are  presented to provide an indication of the overall increase in uptake since the estimation for the 2006/2007 season.

                                                                                                                                         

Related influenza information:
Introduction
GP Consultations
Vaccinations
      - General information       
      - Vaccination monitoring
      - Monthly vaccines dispensed
      - Annual vaccines dispensed
      - PTI vaccination contacts - all ages
      - PTI vaccination contacts - 65 years and over
Influenza Surveillance