Changes in the prevalence of influenza-like illness and influenza vaccine uptake among Hajj pilgrims: A 10-year retrospective analysis of data

Exploring barriers to and facilitators of preventive measures against infectious diseases among Australian Hajj pilgrims: cross-sectional studies before and after Hajj

“…This is consistent with figures reported since 2012, 13,14 and much higher compared to recent data from some other countries such as Turkey where the vaccination rate was only 7.1% during the Hajj 2015, 14 and France where the vaccination rate for 2014 was zero due to vaccine non-availability, 15 and compares well with the overall vaccination rates among international pilgrims over recent decades, which range between 0.7% and 100%. 6,16 Influenza vaccine aside, the uptake of other recommended vaccines was low. For instance, the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine was only 30%.…”

Influenza vaccination among Saudi Hajj pilgrims: Revealing the uptake and vaccination barriers

“…Several studies have estimated the uptake of influenza vaccine among Hajj pilgrims. These studies show that, since 2005, the vaccination rate has fluctuated widely over years [12]. Studies reported seasonal influenza vaccination rate to range from 0.7% to 100% among pilgrims, with the highest coverage in 2009, the pandemic year, when the Saudi Arabian authorities stridently stressed on vaccine receipt [13].…”

Hajj-associated infections

“…Following the official recommendations issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health in 2005, vaccination coverage for influenza increased to 100% by the year 2009, and thereafter remained above 80% in pilgrims from resource-rich countries [14]. A 10-year retrospective analysis of the incidence of influenza-like illness and influenza vaccine uptake among 33,213 pilgrims between 2005 and 2014 suggest that the incidence of influenza-like illness decreased as the vaccine coverage increased (relative risk = 0.2, P < 0.01) [15].…”