08 September 2023
A report has been published on seasonal influenza for the winter period 2022-2023,
covering:
- Influenza illness activity (number of patients with confirmed flu, and number of
resident patients presenting to their GP with flu-like illness)
- annual uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccination
- data regarding deaths from influenza and pneumonia for the period 2015-2022.
After very limited influenza activity during 2020 and 2021 when the COVID-19
pandemic was at its peak, the 2022-2023 winter period saw Jersey experience a return
of more typical influenza activity.
Influenza activity began earlier in the season than usual; a pattern that was similarly
observed across the UK.
Registered flu-like illness peaked at the end of December
2022, and a peak in confirmed influenza was also registered for the same period.
The 2022 influenza vaccination programmes saw flu immunisation delivered to over
39,000 individuals, with 80% of people aged 65 years and over receiving a vaccination.
It was the second year in a row that the World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine
uptake ambition of 75% had been met in this group.
Among other eligible cohorts
(such as nursery and school aged children) there were slight declines in the numbers
coming forward for vaccination compared to in previous years.
The full report can be found here.