Meningococcal Vaccine for Hajj Pilgrims: Compliance, Predictors, and Barriers

Meningococcal Vaccine for Hajj Pilgrims: Compliance, Predictors, and Barriers

Blog Article

Background: Major intercontinental outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease associated with the Hajj occurred in 1987, 2000, and 2001.Mandatory meningococcal vaccination for all pilgrims against serogroups A and C and, subsequently, A, C, W, and Y controlled the epidemics.Overseas pilgrims show excellent adherence to the policy; however, vaccine uptake among domestic pilgrims is suboptimal.

This survey aimed to evaluate meningococcal vaccine uptake among Hajj pilgrims and to identify key factors affecting this.Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among pilgrims in Greater Makkah during the Hajj in 2017−2018.Data on socio-demographic here characteristics, vaccination status, cost of vaccination, and reasons behind non-receipt of the vaccine were collected.

Results: A total of 509 respondents aged 13 to 82 (median 33.8) years participated in the survey: 86% male, 85% domestic pilgrims.Only 389/476 (81.

7%) confirmed their meningococcal vaccination status; 64 individuals (13.4%), all domestic pilgrims, did not receive the vaccine, and 23 (4.8%) were unsure.

Among overseas pilgrims, 93.5% certainly received the vaccine (6.5% were unsure) compared to 80.

9% of domestic click here pilgrims (p < 0.01).Being employed and having a tertiary qualification were significant predictors of vaccination adherence (odds ratio (OR) = 2.

2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3−3.8, p < 0.

01; and OR = 1.7, CI = 1−2.5, p < 0.

05, respectively).Those who obtained pre-Hajj health advice were more than three times as likely to be vaccinated than those who did not (OR = 3.3, CI = 1.

9−5.9, p < 0.001).

Lack of awareness (63.2%, 36/57) and lack of time (15.8%, 9/57) were the most common reasons reported for non-receipt of vaccine.

Conclusion: Many domestic pilgrims missed the compulsory meningococcal vaccine; in this regard, lack of awareness is a key barrier.Being an overseas pilgrim (or living at a distance from Makkah), receipt of pre-Hajj health advice, and employment were predictors of greater compliance with the vaccination policy.Opportunities remain to reduce the policy−practice gap among domestic pilgrims.