Support of the Evaluation of the National LAIV Programme.

The RCGP Research Unit has an established sentinel GP influenza surveillance scheme used to monitor Influenza-like-illness,virologically confirmed infection and the effectiveness of influenza vaccine on behalf of PHE. It is proposed that for the 2015/16 influenza season, PHE procure the services of RCGP in order to enhance the current system to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness in England to further evaluate the introduction of the new childhood influenza vaccination programme in 2013/14 and the adult selective vaccination programme, particularly in relation to more severe end-points, risk status and prior vaccination status.

It is proposed that RCGP will provide a pre-defined cohort extract to PHE for 15/16 and the previous 3 seasons. RCGP Research Unit will employ a practice liason officer for 40 days to collect enhanced information such as influenza vaccine type and batch number as well as to conduct high intensity data quality visits to participating practices to enhance the quality of the extract. This would also include travel costs to practices and reimbursement to practices for their participation. In addition, RCGP will undertake HES-ONS linkage to enhance the outcome and risk factor information in the said data extract.