This website contains promotional content and is intended for Healthcare Professionals based in the United Kingdom only. Some content is only relevant to HCPs practising in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). This website is optimised for desktop use, and some features may perform differently on mobile devices.

Adverse event reporting can be found at the bottom of the page.

What is the burden of influenza for at-risk patients?

Some people may be at increased risk of influenza-related complications, including:1

Flu vaccination is an essential part of helping protect communities29

What are the complications associated with the burden of Influenza?

Influenza may trigger other unwanted health complications for patients

Evidence indicates that influenza may trigger severe cardiovascular complications beyond respiratory infection.7

A self-controlled case series study conducted in Scotland showed that adults aged 40 years and older (median age 68), without a history of heart attack or stroke, were at a significantly increased risk of severe cardiovascular complications in the 1–3 days following a confirmed influenza infection.7

In the 1–3 days following a laboratory-confirmed influenza infection:a

Risk of having a heart attack7

Risk of having a stroke7

aIn a self-controlled case series study (based on a population in Scotland 2004-2014) conducted on a database of adults aged ≥ 40 years with ~90% of the study population aged 50 years and older. In the 1–3 days following a laboratory-confirmed influenza infection versus unexpected or baseline time periods.

CI, confidence interval; IR, incidence ratio.

Hospitalisations and economic burden of influenza

Influenza has an associated impact on healthcare costs and resources.

Influenza may have a considerable burden on secondary healthcare systems.30

Hospital admissions during the 2018/19 influenza season had associated medical costs of £99,565,310.1 The highest costs were found to be associated with patients aged 65+ years.30

Certain groups may create increased pressure as they are more likely to experience a longer and more severe illness. During the 2018/19 influenza season:30

<65 years

75+ years

Costs per hospitalisation: ~£1,900

Costs per hospitalisation: ~£3,700

Average length of stay: 4.74 days

Average length of stay: 12.55 days

Mortality: 1.83%

Mortality: 11.18%

References
  1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1176378/UKHSA_12699_Flu_Vaccination_main_leaflet___Winter_2023-2024_04_WEB.pdf Green book. Chapter 19. Influenza. (2020). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/931139/Green_book_chapter_19_influenza_V7_OCT_2020.pdf (Accessed June 2024).
  2. Haralambieva IH, et alPLoS One. 2015;10:e0122282.
  3. NHS. The flu vaccination. Who should have it and why. Winter 2023 to 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1176378/UKHSA_12699_Flu_Vaccination_main_leaflet___Winter_2023-2024_04_WEB.pdf (Accessed June 2024)
  4. NHS. Flu vaccinations and long term respiratory conditions. https://www.aspenmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Respiratory-Conditions-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance.pdf (Accessed June 2024)
  5. BHF. Flu and your heart condition. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/practical-support/flu-and-your-heart-condition (Accessed June 2024)
  6. Fukuta H, et alHeart Fail Rev. 2019;24:109–14.
  7. Warren-Gash C, et alEur Respir J. 2018;29:1701794.
  8. CDC. Flu and people with chronic kidney disease. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/chronic-kidney-disease.htm (Accessed June 2024).
  9. Grzegorzewska AE. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2015;11:2599–605.
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu & people with chronic kidney disease. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/chronic-kidney-disease.htm (Accessed June 2024)
  11. British Liver Trust. Get the flu jab. https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/campaigns/get-the-jab/ (Accessed June 2024).
  12. Härmälä S, et alBMJ Open. 2019;9:e031070.
  13. NHS. flu vaccinations and chronic liver disease. https://www.aspenmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Liver-Disease-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance.pdf (Accessed June 2024)
  14. NHS. Flu vaccinations and chronic neurological disease. https://www.aspenmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Neurological-Disease-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance.pdf (Accessed June 2024)
  15. NHS. Flu vaccinations and diabetes. https://www.aspenmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Diabetes-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance.pdf (Accessed June 2024)
  16. Diabetes UK. Flu jab and diabetes. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/flu-jab (Accessed June 2024).
  17. Sellers SA, et alInfluenza Other Respir Viruses. 2017;11:372–93.
  18. Bosaeed M and Kumar D. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2018;14:1311–22.
  19. Kumar D, et alClin Infect Dis. 2018;67:1322–9.
  20. NHS England. Vaccination audit for asplenic patients. https://www.england.nhs.uk/atlas_case_study/vaccination-audit-for-asplenic-patients/ (Accessed June 2024).
  21. NHS. Spleen problems and spleen removal. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spleen-problems-and-spleen-removal/ (Accessed June 2024)
  22. CDC. People at High Risk For Flu Complications. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm (Accessed June 2024).
  23. Honce R and Schultz-Cherry S. Front Immunol. 2019;10:1071.
  24. Rasmussen SA, et alEmerg Infect Dis. 2008;14:95–100.
  25. Pebody R, et alEurosurveillance. 2010;15:19571.
  26. Benowitz I, et alClin Infect Dis. 2010;51:1355–61.
  27. Omer SB, et alPLoS Med. 2011;8:e1000441.
  28. CDC. Flu and young children. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/children.htm (Accessed June 2024).
  29. Franklin B and Hochlaf D (2018). An economic analysis of flu vaccination. https://ilcuk.org.uk/an-economic-analysis-of-flu-vaccination/ (Accessed June 2024).
  30. Moss JWE, et alBMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):1464.

MAT-XU-2301387 (v3.0) Date of preparation: June 2024