Examining seasonal influenza vaccination coverage in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: strengthening prevention...

Despite the World Health Assembly Resolution 56.19's goal of all countries with seasonal influenza vaccination programs reaching 75% influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCR) for older adults and people with chronic conditions, many countries, including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, fall short. This study evaluates trends in seasonal influenza VCR across the six GCC countries.

We analyzed influenza vaccination coverage in six GCC countries from 2018 to 2024 using World Health Organization/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form on Immunization (JRF) data. Coverage was estimated for the general population and five high-risk groups (older adults, health care workers (HCW), pregnant women, people with chronic conditions and children). Linear regression and temporal trends assessed to evaluate trends in influenza vaccination coverage over time across six GCC countries.

Across the six countries, the highest median (interquartile range) coverage across the time period was among HCWs median = 68% (37.5-107.4%) for the six Gulf countries, although it varied by country with Saudi Arabia attaining the highest median HCW coverage rate: 93.2% (84.0-100.0%) and Qatar having the next highest 65.6% (61.8-100.0%). In comparison, Oman and Bahrain attained 31.2% (22.1-13.9%) and 43.7% (36.8-79.3%) coverage of HCWs, respectively. Among pregnant women, only Oman exceeded the 75% target with a median of 88.9% (73.3-93.9%), while others remained below the 75% coverage. A statistically significant upward trend was observed only in Qatar for pregnant women (P = 0.02). Median vaccine uptake among children (<5 years) and people with chronic diseases was lowest across all countries.

GCC countries have strong uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among HCWs and pregnant women in Oman and upward trend in Qatar. However, given the much lower coverage rates among other high-risk groups and children, these countries would benefit from assessing and addressing the systemic barriers to improve vaccine uptake for older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, and children.