Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the economic impact of influenza.

The Department is guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the approach to the immunisation programmes in England. Their decision is informed by the cost effectiveness of different vaccines and different vaccine policies, which evaluate the health impacts of vaccines versus the costs. However, they do not consider the impact on the economy. The Department will continue to be guided by JCVI advice, which is based on a cost-effectiveness approach to appraising vaccines.

The Department’s objective is to improve the health of the population. Influenza has a significant impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. It will also have an economic impact, as do most other health conditions. Vaccines are the best defence we have against respiratory infections such as flu. They provide good protection against hospitalisation and death. They also reduce the risk of long-term symptoms.