Abdinasir Abubakar1, Nada Melhem2, Mamunur Malik1, Ghassan Dbaibo3, Wasiq Mehmood Khan1, Hassan Zaraket4. 1. Infectious Hazard Management, Department of WHO Health Emergencies Programme, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt. 2. American University of Beirut, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, 11-0236 Riad El Solh, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon; American University of Beirut, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, 11-0236 Riad El Solh, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon. 3. American University of Beirut, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, 11-0236 Riad El Solh, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon; American University of Beirut, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 11-0236 Riad El Solh, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon. 4. American University of Beirut, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, 11-0236 Riad El Solh, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon; American University of Beirut, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology & Microbiology, 11-0236 Riad El Solh, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: hz34@aub.edu.lb.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends annual influenza vaccination, especially in high-risk groups. Little is known about the adoption and implementation of influenza vaccination policies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. METHODS: A survey was distributed to country representatives at the ministries of health of the 22 countries of the Region between December 2016 and February 2017 to capture data on influenza immunization policies, recommendations, and practices in place. RESULTS: Of the 20 countries that responded to the survey, 14 reported having influenza immunization policies during the 2015/2016 influenza season. All countries with an influenza immunization policy recommended vaccination for people with chronic medical conditions, healthcare workers and pilgrims. Two of the 20 countries did not target pregnant women. Eight countries used the northern hemisphere formulation, one used the southern hemisphere formulation and nine used both. Vaccination coverage was not monitored by all countries and for all target groups. Where reported, coverage of a number of target groups (healthcare workers, children) was generally low. Data on the burden of influenza and vaccine protection are scarce in the Region. CONCLUSIONS: Despite widespread policy recommendations on influenza vaccination, attaining high coverage rates remains a challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Tackling disparities in influenza vaccine accessibility and strengthening surveillance systems may increase influenza vaccine introduction and use.
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends annual influenza vaccination, especially in high-risk groups. Little is known about the adoption and implementation of influenza vaccination policies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. METHODS: A survey was distributed to country representatives at the ministries of health of the 22 countries of the Region between December 2016 and February 2017 to capture data on influenza immunization policies, recommendations, and practices in place. RESULTS: Of the 20 countries that responded to the survey, 14 reported having influenza immunization policies during the 2015/2016 influenza season. All countries with an influenza immunization policy recommended vaccination for people with chronic medical conditions, healthcare workers and pilgrims. Two of the 20 countries did not target pregnant women. Eight countries used the northern hemisphere formulation, one used the southern hemisphere formulation and nine used both. Vaccination coverage was not monitored by all countries and for all target groups. Where reported, coverage of a number of target groups (healthcare workers, children) was generally low. Data on the burden of influenza and vaccine protection are scarce in the Region. CONCLUSIONS: Despite widespread policy recommendations on influenza vaccination, attaining high coverage rates remains a challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Tackling disparities in influenza vaccine accessibility and strengthening surveillance systems may increase influenza vaccine introduction and use.
Authors: Nabil J Awadalla; Hassan Mohammed Al-Musa; Khalid Mohammed Al-Musa; Abdulmajeed Mohammed Asiri; Ahmed Ali Albariqi; Hussam Mohammed Majrashi; Ahmed Ali Alasim; Abdulrahman Saeed Almuslah; Turki Khalid Alshehri; Mohammed Ali AlFlan; Ahmed A Mahfouz Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2019-10-07 Impact factor: 3.452