In August 2020, the 大象传媒 Shared Data Unit reported that levels of flu vaccination among the most vulnerable have dropped in recent years.
Experts urged members of the public against complacency and to take the jab if they have health conditions that could make them more vulnerable to flu, which kills thousands of people a year.
The government has announced it is planning to double the number of people vaccinated for flu this winter, amid concerns the flu season could redouble pressure on a covid-hit NHS.
Our research found the take-up rate among people in vulnerable groups eligible for a free jab has declined.
Local authorities in England saw an average 45% of people with serious health conditions under 65 take up the offer of a free vaccine last winter, data shows. That represents a drop from 50% in 2015.
The story was widely used within the 大象传媒, running as the main story on the health page of the 大象传媒 website. Bulletins included 大象传媒 Breakfast, the News Channel, Radio 2, Radio 4, and Radio 5. Coverage included an on-air interview with Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the Royal College of GPs, and the MS Society. It was the lead story on 大象传媒 East Midlands Today and 大象传媒 Look North.
Data and sources
The data and background methodology released to partners is available here:
- Background:
- England data:
- Scotland data:
- Wales data:
- Northern Ireland data:
Interviews and quotes
- Jeanne Jarvis-Gibson, student and long-term Covid sufferer
- Dr Tonia Thomas, project manager, University of Oxford's Vaccine Knowledge Trust
Partner usage
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to the wider news industry as part of the 大象传媒 Local News Partnership. Stories written by partners based on this research included:
- Bedford Independent: 28 August 2020
- Cornish Stuff: 27 August 2020
- Dundee Messenger: 27 August 2020
- Grantham Journal: 28 August 2020
- Hampshire Live: 27 August 2020
- Hemel Today: 27 August 2020
- Kent Online: 1 September 2020
- Leader Live: 27 August 2020
- Maidenhead Advertiser 28 August 2020
- Northants Live: 27 August 2020
- On the Wight: 27 August 2020
- Peterborough Matters: 27 August 2020
- Rochdale Online: 1 September 2020
- Ross-shire Journal: 27 August 2020
- Shetland News: 28 August 2020
- South Wales Argus: 27 August 2020
- Suffolk News: 27 August 2020
- Sunderland Echo: 12 August 2020
- Sussex Live: 27 August 2020
- Wakefield Express 12 August 2020
- Wigan Today: 27 August 2020
- Windsor Express: 28 August 2020
- Yorkshire Post 27 August 2020