Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Acute Respiratory Symptoms in Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims

Overview

Journal J Immigr Minor Health

Publisher Springer

Specialties Public Health
Social Sciences

Date 2014 Jun 21

PMID 24946936

Citations 8

Authors

Habsah Hasan

Zakuan Zainy Deris

Siti Amrah Sulaiman

Mohd Suhaimi Abdul Wahab

Nyi Nyi Naing

Zulkefle Ab Rahman

Nor Hayati Othman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Respiratory illness were a major problem and caused high hospital admission during hajj seasons. One of the contributing cause to this illness is infection. Various measures had been implemented to reduce respiratory infections. The aim on the study is to determine the effect of influenza vaccination against acute respiratory illness among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. This is an observational cohort study. Influenza vaccination was given to pilgrims at least 2 weeks prior to departure. The occurrence of symptoms for respiratory illness such as cough, fever, sore throat and runny nose was monitored daily for 6 weeks during pilgrimage using a health diary. A total of 65 vaccinated hajj pilgrims and 41 controls were analyzed. There was no significant difference in pattern of occurrence of symptoms of respiratory illness by duration of pilgrimage as well as the number of symptoms between both groups. Hajj pilgrims have frequent respiratory symptoms. We were unable to document benefit from influenza vaccination, but our study was limited by a small sample size and lack of laboratory testing for influenza.

Citing Articles

Low Prevalence of Syndromic Respiratory Tract Infections among Returning Hajj Pilgrims Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Post-Hajj Survey.

Mahdi H, Qashqari F, Hariri S, Bamerdah S, Altayyar S, Almalki H Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022; 7(8).

PMID: 36006274 PMC: 9413585. DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7080182.

Syndromic surveillance of respiratory-tract infections and hand hygiene practice among pilgrims attended Hajj in 2021: a cohort study.

Mahdi H, Rashid H, Qashqari F, Hariri S, Marglani O, Barasheed O BMC Infect Dis. 2022; 22(1):578.

PMID: 35761226 PMC: 9238003. DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07559-0.

Health Education Intervention as an Effective Means for Prevention of Respiratory Infections Among Hajj Pilgrims: A Review.

Goni M, Hasan H, Wan-Arfah N, Naing N, Deris Z, Arifin W Front Public Health. 2020; 8:449.

PMID: 33014965 PMC: 7494962. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00449.

Clinical respiratory infections and pneumonia during the Hajj pilgrimage: A systematic review.

Benkouiten S, Al-Tawfiq J, Memish Z, AlBarrak A, Gautret P Travel Med Infect Dis. 2018; 28:15-26.

PMID: 30528743 PMC: 7110718. DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.12.002.

Mass Gatherings and Public Health: Case Studies from the Hajj to Mecca.

Rahman J, Thu M, Arshad N, Van der Putten M Ann Glob Health. 2017; 83(2):386-393.

PMID: 28619416 PMC: 7104005. DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2016.12.001.

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