Small increasing trend in uptake of influenza vaccinations in 2019

In 2019, 53% of the persons with an increased risk for complications due to influenza because of age or a medical condition were vaccinated. There is a small increasing trend visible since 2017, from 50% to more than 51% and now 53%. The results were published by Nivel in their annual monitor of the Dutch National Influenza Prevention Program.

As part of the Dutch National Influenza Prevention Program, persons at risk from complications due to (the consequences of) influenza are invited to visit their general practitioner for an influenza vaccination free of charge. The target group for vaccination is defined as all people aged 60 year or older and people with certain chronic diseases. During the influenza vaccination campaign of 2019, 53% of the target population was vaccinated. The highest vaccine coverage (71%) was seen in persons over 65 years of age who also had a medical indication for vaccination. Vaccine coverage was lowest in persons between 60 and 64 years old without a medical indication for vaccination (30%).

Increasing trend since 2018
In 2008, the vaccination coverage in the target population was 72%. In subsequent years, this percentage decreased to 50% in 2017. Since 2018, however, there is a small increasing trend visible in the influenza vaccine coverage.

Monitoring flu vaccination
Nivel uses data from Nivel Primary Care Database for the analysis of influenza vaccination uptake rates, commissioned by the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) as part of the Dutch National Influenza Prevention Program. This annual monitoring allows one to evaluate the number of people that are vaccinated (vaccine coverage) each year. Result of the 2020 influenza vaccination campaign will be published by Nivel in 2021.