The 2014/15 influenza season was the second season
of roll-out of a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)
programme for healthy children in England. During
this season, besides offering LAIV to all two to four
year olds, several areas piloted vaccination of primary
(4–11 years) and secondary (11–13 years) age children.
Influenza A(H3N2) circulated, with strains genetically
and antigenically distinct from the 2014/15 A(H3N2)
vaccine strain, followed by a drifted B strain. We
assessed the overall and indirect impact of vaccinating
school age children, comparing cumulative disease
incidence in targeted and non-targeted age groups in
vaccine pilot to non-pilot areas. Uptake levels were
56.8% and 49.8% in primary and secondary school
pilot areas respectively. In primary school age pilot
areas, cumulative primary care influenza-like consultation,
emergency department respiratory attendance,
respiratory swab positivity, hospitalisation and
excess respiratory mortality were consistently lower
in targeted and non-targeted age groups, though less
for adults and more severe end-points, compared with
non-pilot areas. There was no significant reduction for
excess all-cause mortality. Little impact was seen in
secondary school age pilot only areas compared with
non-pilot areas. Vaccination of healthy primary school
age children resulted in population-level impact
despite circulation of drifted A and B influenza strains.