Uptake Rates For Seasonal Influenza Vaccination

EDM number 2221 in 2008-09, proposed by Brian Iddon on 03/11/2009.
Categorised under the topics of Communicable diseases and Vaccination.

That this House notes the recent increase in the number of H1N1 swine influenza cases; welcomes the start of the Government's H1N1 vaccination campaign; urges the population not to forget the significant impact that seasonal influenza has on the health of the UK population in normal years; further notes that every year approximately 8,000 people suffer influenza-related deaths in the winter months in England and Wales; recognises the achievement of the Department of Health's seasonal influenza vaccination campaign for those aged 65 and over, where vaccination coverage rates have reached over 74 per cent.; is concerned that uptake rates for those at risk under 65 years old are still low; further recognises the huge burden that seasonal influenza places on NHS resources; endorses the Chief Medical Officer's call for healthcare workers to protect themselves and their patients by getting seasonal influenza vaccinations; and calls for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review the case for reducing the age for influenza vaccination to 50 years and above in order to increase the overall uptake rates and to meet the World Health Organisation target for population coverage.

This motion has been signed by a total of 59 MPs.