H1N1 Flu Deaths in the UK on the rise

Per a government report in the BBC and other UK papers, there have been 39 deaths from the flu this winter with 36 confirmed as H1N1-related while the other three were caused by influenza B.  Unlike here in the US, the UK vaccination committee does not recommend a flu "jab" for healthy children less than 5 and other children ages 5 to 15.  All but one of the deaths occurred in people <65yo. Around 20% of all ICU beds in England are now filled with confirmed or suspected influenza patients.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said "the people we would wish to vaccinate are people in at-risk groups and over 65s who can be contacted via their GP." Which makes some sense since 23/38 deaths (one patients data wasn't available yet) were from high-risk groups. However, that still leaves 40% of patients without any risk factors. Since there is no vaccine shortage, I wonder why they aren't broadening their vaccine strategy to include younger children. As it is, only 23% of currently eligible children <5 get vaccinated.

The H1N1 virus continues to attack younger children and not older adults. In English children <4yo, the influenza incidence is 184 cases/100,000 while it is only 36 cases/100,000 in those >65yo. An epidemic is defined as an incidence >200 cases/100,000.  Seems like rapid vaccination of children might be a good idea, particularly when you look at the graph below showing 2010-2011 as an active year, similar to the spring of 2008-2009 season when H1N1 began.  If H1N1 vaccine was available in spring 2009, I bet they would have promoted it more than they are promoting the vaccine now.

Oh, Happy New Year!

BBC report (12/30/2010)
Guardian report (1/1/2011)

UK Health Protection Agency Epidemiological Report 30 December 2010

ILI Activity with 2010-11 in red  - taken from UK HPA report (link above)