Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he taking to increase the rate of take up of the flu vaccination in winter 2019-20.

Public Health England launched the annual flu campaign in October 2019 to encourage uptake of flu vaccination amongst key groups. The campaign targeted pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions, and parents of two and three-year olds. The campaign, which ran until 15 December 2019, featured advertising on television, video on demand, pharmacy screens, digital display, social media, radio, and paid search, in addition to public relations and extensive partnership activity. In the run up to Christmas, NHS England and NHS Improvement extended the campaign with national press advertising.

Local areas have also delivered a range of activities to encourage those in at risk groups to have the vaccine. To increase patient choice, adults who are eligible can also get the vaccine through their local community pharmacy. As part of its assurance process, NHS England and NHS Improvement have been working through its regional teams and clinical commissioning groups to ensure that general practices with the lowest uptake rates are contacted and action is taken to increase uptake.