Vaccinations against respiratory infections in Arabian Gulf countries: Barriers and motivators

Alqahtani, Amani S; Bondagji, Daniah M; Alshehari, Abdullah A; Basyouni, Mada H; Alhawassi, Tariq M; BinDhim, Nasser F; Rashid, Harunor

Respiratory infections particularly influenza, pneumo coccal, pertussis and meningococcal diseases are a major threat to humans and continue to take a heavy toll across the globe [14] . Annually, influenza causes a million deaths worldwide [5, 6] , and pneumonia, mostly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, is responsible for 1.6 million deaths globally [7] . The incidence of meningo coccal disease ranges from one per 100000 population in developed world settings to 1000 per 100000 population in the developing countries of the "meningitis belt" during the epidemic seasons with a high rates of case fatality, and longterm sequelae [8] . In addition, there has been a resurgence of pertussis in the last several years and the disease causes about 200000 annual deaths globally [9] . Vaccinations against influenza, pertussis, and pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases are available, but the vaccination uptake against these diseases remains unknown in many parts of the world including the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).