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A review of policies and coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination programmes in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
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  • Rania Attia,
  • Abdinasir Abubakar,
  • Joseph Bresee,
  • Osama Mere,
  • Wasiq Mehmood Khan
Rania Attia
World Health Organisation Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abdinasir Abubakar
World Health Organisation Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
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Joseph Bresee
The Task Force for Global Health
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Osama Mere
Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office
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Wasiq Mehmood Khan
Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office
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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.
01 Feb 2023Submitted to Influenza and other respiratory viruses
01 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
01 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
01 Feb 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
26 Feb 20231st Revision Received
27 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
27 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
27 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Accept