Consensus statements for influenza awareness, prevention, and vaccination in Pakistan

Bushra Jamil; Raeefuddin Ahmed; Uzma Bashir; Shobha Luxmi; Samreen Kulsoom; Saadia Ashraf; Muhammad H Hamid; Fawad Farooq; Ainan Arshad; Altaf Hussain; Tabrez Ali

doi:10.3855/jidc.18064

Consensus statements for influenza awareness, prevention, and vaccination in Pakistan

Authors

Bushra Jamil Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan Medical University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Raeefuddin Ahmed Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan Medical University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6835-4054
Uzma Bashir National Professional Officer (NPO), World Health Organization, Islamabad, Pakistan
Shobha Luxmi Department of Infectious Disease, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0117-3048
Samreen Kulsoom Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Sind Institute of Infectious Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6398-5439
Saadia Ashraf Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Khyber Teaching Hospital/ Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5875-7001
Muhammad H Hamid Department of Paediatric Medicine, King Edward Medical University and Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8821-3323
Fawad Farooq Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
Ainan Arshad Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan Medical University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9013-3899
Altaf Hussain Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tabrez Ali Department of Medical Affairs, Established Pharmaceutical Division, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Karachi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9235-2848

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18064

Keywords:

influenza, vaccination, consensus, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Influenza is a serious underestimated viral infection in Pakistan and influenza vaccination and vaccination awareness are low. The current work aimed to develop consensus on influenza epidemiology, prevention, vaccination, and awareness in Pakistan.

Methodology: A systematic literature search was conducted to develop recommendations on influenza vaccines in Pakistan. Experts' feedback was incorporated using the modified Delphi method. A three-step process was used, with 18 experts from different specialties from Pakistan who participated in voting rounds to achieve a minimum 75% agreement level.

Results: Pakistan has a low-immunization-rate and is susceptible to serious influenza outbreaks and influenza-related complications. Influenza circulates year-round in Pakistan but peaks during January and February. The subtype A/H1N1 is predominant. The experts urged vaccination in all individuals ≥ 6 months of age and with no contraindications. They highlighted special considerations for those with comorbidities and specific conditions. The experts agreed that the inactivated influenza vaccine is safe and efficient in pregnant women, immunocompromised, and comorbid respiratory and cardiovascular patients. Finally, the experts recommended conducting promotional and educational programs to raise awareness on influenza and vaccination.

Conclusions: This is the first regional consensus on influenza and influenza vaccination in Pakistan with experts’ recommendations to increase influenza vaccination and decrease influenza cases and its associated detrimental effects.

Downloads

Published

2024-04-30

How to Cite

Jamil B, Ahmed R, Bashir U, Luxmi S, Kulsoom S, Ashraf S, Hamid MH, Farooq F, Arshad A, Hussain A, Ali T (2024) Consensus statements for influenza awareness, prevention, and vaccination in Pakistan. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:609–617. doi: 10.3855/jidc.18064

Download Citation

Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 04: April 2024

Section

Original Articles

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).