In August 2020, the BBC Shared Data Unit reported that levels of flu vaccination among the most vulnerable had dropped in recent years.
Experts urged members of the public against complacency and to take the jab if they had health conditions that could make them more vulnerable to flu, which kills thousands of people a year.
The government had announced it was planning to double the number of people vaccinated for flu this winter, amid concerns the flu season could redouble pressure on a Covid-19-hit NHS.
Our research found the take-up rate among people in vulnerable groups eligible for a free jab had 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 showed. That represented a drop from 50% in 2015.
The story was widely used within the BBC, running as the main story on the health page of the BBC website. Bulletins included BBC 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 BBC East Midlands Today and BBC Look North.
The data and background methodology released to partners is available here:
- Background here:
- England data here:
- Scotland data here:
- Wales data here:
- Northern Ireland data here:
- Jeanne Jarvis-Gibson, student and long-term Covid sufferer
- Dr Tonia Thomas, project manager, University of Oxford's Vaccine Knowledge Trust
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to the wider news industry as part of the BBC Local News Partnership. Stories written by partners based on this research included:
- Bedford Independent: Bedford flu vaccinations for most vulnerable fall to five year low 28 August 2020
- Cornish Stuff: Flu jab complacency in a pandemic 27 August 2020
- Dundee Messenger: UK flu jab rates prompt complacency warning 27 August 2020
- Grantham Journal: Low flu vaccine take-up by at-risk groups in Lincolnshire 28 August 2020
- Hampshire Live: Half of Hampshire's most vulnerable at risk of flu after failing to get annual jab 27 August 2020
- Hemel Today: Concerns for vulnerable Hertfordshire residents as academics warn of national “complacency” towards the flu 27 August 2020
- Kent Online: Half of Kent and Medway's primary school children not having flu inoculation 1 September 2020
- Leader Live: Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board's plea for people to protect themselves against the flu this winter 27 August 2020
- Maidenhead Advertiser Residents urged to get flu vaccine as data reveals falling take-up rates 28 August 2020
- Northants Live: Northamptonshire's most vulnerable at risk as more than half don't receive annual flu vaccine 27 August 2020
- On the Wight: Uptake of flu vaccinations for Isle of Wight over 65s fallen over last five years 27 August 2020
- Peterborough Matters: Why we need to improve flu vaccination rates in Peterborough and the UK 27 August 2020
- Rochdale Online: Fewer vulnerable people opting for free flu jab 1 September 2020
- Ross-shire Journal: Highland health experts call for flu jab campaign to prevent NHS being overwhelmed this winter 27 August 2020
- Shetland News: Flu vaccination more important than ever 28 August 2020
- South Wales Argus: Wales must increase flu vaccine uptake by those most at risk 27 August 2020
- Suffolk News: Concern over drop in rate of at-risk adults getting flu jabs in Suffolk 27 August 2020
- Sunderland Echo: 'Vulnerable' people at risk in Sunderland as flu jab target is missed 12 August 2020
- Sussex Live: Sussex's most vulnerable in danger after less than half receive flu jab 27 August 2020
- Wakefield Express Flu jab rates below target for clinically vulnerable and elderly in Wakefield 12 August 2020
- Wigan Today: Concern at five-year fall in at-risk Wigan adults getting flu jab 27 August 2020
- Windsor Express: Residents urged to get flu vaccine as data reveals falling take-up rates 28 August 2020
- Yorkshire Post Concerns about the flu jab must be addressed if Government is to double uptake this winter 27 August 2020
- Chronicle Live: Asda cancels flu jab appointments at Gateshead store blaming 'increased demand' 7 November 2020
You can find all coronavirus-related stories by the BBC data units tagged 'coronavirus' here