Annual influenza surveillance and influenza vaccination uptake reports
All Wales/National
Annual
Public Health Wales monitors uptake of seasonal influenza immunisation each year.
During each influenza immunisation programme (usually October – March), uptake is summarised every week in the weekly influenza activity in Wales report. Final figures are presented each year at the end of the influenza season in an annual report, which also includes an epidemiological summary of the season.
The 2025/26 season started earlier than usual, however overall was low to medium intensity to compared to previous seasons. The sentinel GP ILI consultation rate was above baseline levels for 8 weeks, compared to an average of 13.5 weeks for previous seasons, and was at medium activity levels for 4 weeks.
Overall, influenza A(H3N2) was the dominant influenza virus. This season, the newly emerged sub-clade K of influenza A(H3N2) was the most frequently detected virus sequenced.
Uptake of influenza vaccine was 71.7% in those aged 65 years and older, compared to 70.4% last season.
Uptake was 43.2% in patients aged 16 to 64 years in one or more clinical risk groups, which is an increase compared to 36.9% in 2024/25 (previous season included those aged 6 months 64 years). Uptake among clinical risk groups was highest in patients with diabetes (50.2%) and lowest in those who are morbidly obese (35.8%).
Uptake of influenza vaccine in pregnant women was 61.3% (measured in an annual survey of women in major maternity units in January 2026.
Uptake of influenza vaccine in children aged two and three years, mainly immunised in general practices, was 46.1%. Uptake in children, immunised in schools, aged four to 10 was 57.6%, and aged 11 to 15 was 46.1%.
Uptake of influenza immunisation in Health Board and NHS staff, reported by Health Board Occupational Health Departments, was 43.6% during 2025/26. Uptake in staff with direct patient contact was 44.2%.
The total number of individuals in Wales who were immunised against influenza was 1,059,998 for 2025/26 (around 32% of the population in Wales), compared to an estimated 901,787 last season.
The effectiveness of influenza vaccine in preventing GP attendance due to confirmed influenza was 21.4% in those aged 65 years and above, 32.2% in those aged 18 to 64 years and 51.6% in two- to 17-year-olds. Overall, influenza effectiveness in adults was lower this year than last year.
2025/26 report summary infographic
Report downloads
Seasonal influenza in Wales 2025 to 2026
PDF, 4MB
Download PDF - Seasonal influenza in Wales 2025 to 2026 (4 MB)
