Flu vaccine coverage for recommended populations in France

Objectives

To estimate the size of the populations targeted by the French recommendations of the High Council for Public Health (French acronym HCSP) regarding vaccination against seasonal flu and to estimate vaccination coverage rates in these populations.

Patients and methods

The analysis was conducted on a representative sample of patients retrieved from the French Health Insurance databases during three influenza seasons (2012–2013, 2013–2014, 2014–2015). Patients targeted by the influenza vaccination recommendations were identified based on their sociodemographic characteristics and disease identification algorithms during each season. Vaccine coverage rates were estimated based on reimbursed influenza vaccines. Results were extrapolated using indirect standardization to the overall French population.

Results

Populations targeted by the recommendations were estimated after extrapolation to 17.6, 17.8, and 18.0 million for the 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15 influenza seasons, respectively. The vaccination coverage rates in these target populations were respectively estimated at 32.1%, 31.9%, and 32.1%; i.e. 44.2%, 43.1%, and 42.7% for individuals aged ≥ 65 years and 12.9%, 13.2%, and 13.7% for individuals ˂ 65 years of age presenting a risk justifying vaccination.

Conclusions

Immunization coverage against influenza in France remains well below the target of 75% set by the World Health Organization. Multiple strategies combining communication, education, access program, and professional engagement could be implemented to improve this situation.