Current activity

31 October 2018 - interim

Between 3 April and 26 October, 784 patients were admitted to the 17 sentinel surveillance hospitals with confirmed influenza. This number is much lower than in 2017.
Vaccine coverage appears to be higher in the elderly (78%) but lower in non-elderly adults (44%) and children (43%) with chronic medical conditions. Coverage in children <5 years was estimated as 15% in those without comorbidities, and 37% in those with comorbidities.
Vaccination with the 2018 inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine significantly reduced the risk of hospitalisation with influenza. Estimated vaccine effectiveness was 58.2% (95% CI: 46.4%, 67.4%).