G169 Are children at risk of severe influenza and its complications receiving protection from seasonal flu

Aim To evaluate the rate of influenza vaccination of ‘at-risk’ children and household members attending tertiary care clinics during the influenza season, 2018–19, and assess changes in trends by comparison with a similar study conducted in 2016–2017. Methods Two medical students DG and RK produced an online survey, consisting of 10 questions focused on influenza vaccination, which was given to parents or guardians of children attending specified outpatient clinics over two weeks in January 2019. Results 218 responses were split into at-risk children (n=139) (defined by Immunisation against Infectious Disease: Influenza Chapter 19 revised 2018) and standard risk children (n=79). Of the at-risk group, 57% had received influenza vaccination for the 2018/19 season - a 40% increase from the 2016/17 influenza season. Rate of uptake was highest in patients attending Diabetes clinic (83%) and lowest in those attending Rheumatology clinic (25%). Only 48% of vaccinated patients lived in a household where all members of the household also had protection against influenza. The most used service to administer the influenza vaccination was general practice (41%), and only 13% utilised tertiary care. Common reasons stated for non-vaccination were: ‘did not believe it was necessary’, ‘not offered vaccination’ and ‘was not given enough information’. Conclusion There has been a rise in influenza vaccination rates within the population over the two influenza seasons (2016–2019). However, from a public health perspective, the vaccination rates against seasonal influenza are continuously suboptimal (