Flu vaccination coverage in Belgium 1997-2018

To prevent influenza, vaccination in Belgium is recommended by the Supreme Council of Health. According to this survey, the flu vaccine coverage in Belgian respondents reached 31,8 percent in 2018. However, this coverage grew rather inconsistently from 1997 to 2018. Indeed, the flu vaccine coverage increased from 1997 to 2004 and then decreased in 2008. However, since 2008 the coverage seemed to be increasing again. From a national perspective, it was calculated that 25,7 percent of Belgians had been vaccinated against the flu at least once in their life in 2018.

The flu vaccine recommendation targets five specific groups of people: individuals aged 65 and older, individuals with certain health conditions, pregnant women, people residing in institutions, and children under ongoing aspirin therapy. Furthermore, people working in the health sector or living under the same roof as the groups of people previously mentioned are considered to be at risk.