A review of policies and coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination
programmes in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
Abstract
Although there has been an effective seasonal influenza vaccine
available for more than 60 years, influenza continues to circulate and
cause illness. The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is very diverse in
health systems capacities, capabilities, and efficiencies, which affect
the performance of services, especially vaccinations, including seasonal
influenza vaccination. In this article, we have analyzed data from a
regional seasonal influenza survey conducted in 2022, Joint Reporting
Form (JRF), and verified their validity by the focal points. We also
compared our results with those of the regional seasonal influenza
survey conducted in 2016. This analysis provides a comprehensive
overview on country-specific influenza vaccination policies, vaccine
delivery, and coverage in EMR. Fourteen countries (64%) had reported
having a national seasonal influenza vaccine policy. About (44%)
countries recommended influenza vaccine for all SAGE recommended target
groups. Up to (69%) of countries reported that COVID-19 had an impact
on influenza vaccine supply in the country, with most of them (82%)
reporting increases in procurement and supply of influenza vaccine, with
the other countries reporting decreases in procurement due to COVID-19.
We suggest supporting countries to develop a roadmap for influenza
vaccine uptake and utilization, assessment of barriers and burden of
influenza, including measuring the economic burden to enhance vaccine
acceptance.