Author:
Khan Ruhi,Ahmed Anwar,Zeitounie Rachid,Khandekar Rajiv
Abstract
Background: Vaccination is useful for protection against seasonal influenza but has a low uptake. Evidence of a protective effect of influenza vaccine among Arab populations would be a useful tool for advocacy. Aims: To evaluate the impact of vaccine in reducing the incidence and severity of influenza-like illness among health staff of a tertiary care eye hospital in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in 2018–2019. Hospital staff were divided into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Influenza-like illness episodes and their severity were compared between the groups and influenza-like illness rate before and after vaccination was reviewed in the vaccinated group. Results: The uptake of flu vaccine among 1180 health staff was 41%. There were 28 (9.3%) and 51 (17%) persons with influenza-like illness in the vaccinated (n = 300) and nonvaccinated (n = 300) groups, respectively. The nonvaccinated group had a significantly higher rate of influenza-like illness than the vaccinated group had. Vaccination, young age and absence of comorbidity were independent protectors against influenza-like illness. Conclusions: Influenza vaccine confers significant protection and reduces the incidence and severity of influenza-like illness. However, this was a retrospective review of health data; therefore, the association of vaccine with outcomes should be considered as a weak form of evidence. The low uptake of influenza vaccine in hospital staff and their dependents is a matter of concern and should be addressed by greater awareness and education. This evidence can be used to improve overall vaccine coverage.
Publisher
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO/EMRO)
Cited by
5 articles.
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