Details:

Alternative Title:
BMC Public Health
Personal Author:
Duque, Jazmin ; McMorrow, Meredith L. ; Cohen, Adam L.
Duque, Jazmin ; McMorrow, Meredith L. ; Cohen, Adam L. Less -
Description:
Background

Influenza viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality in Africa, particularly among high-risk groups, but influenza vaccines and antiviral drugs may not be commonly available and used. The main aim of this study was to determine the availability and use of influenza vaccines and antiviral drugs as well as to describe existing related guidelines and policies in Africa.

Methods

A self-administered survey was distributed among key influenza experts in 40 African countries.

Results

Of the 40 countries surveyed, 31 (78%) responded; 14/31 (45%) reported availability of seasonal influenza vaccine, and 19/31 (65%) reported availability of antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza. Vaccine coverage data were only available for 4/14 (29%) countries that reported availability of seasonal influenza vaccine and ranged from <0.5% to 2% of the population.

Conclusions

Influenza vaccines and antiviral drugs are available in many countries in Africa but coverage estimates are low and remain largely unknown. Describing the local burden of disease and identifying funding are essential to encourage countries to use influenza vaccine more widely.


Subjects:
[+]
Antiviral Agents Guidelines As Topic Humans Influenza, Human Influenza Vaccines Surveys And Questionnaires
Source:
BMC Public Health. 2014; 14:41.
Document Type:
Journal Article
Place as Subject:
Africa, Western ; Guinea ; Liberia ; Sierra Leone
Africa, Western ; Guinea ; Liberia ; Sierra Leone Less -
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:b18fb2ccf3a4e91e97be226220b1e9241420bfe2a1735ca8b6dcab7080d0df06
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/27978/cdc_27978_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• 	1471-2458-14-41-1.gif	gif
  	1471-2458-14-41-1.jpg	jpeg
  	1471-2458-14-41.nxml	txt
  	license.txt	txt

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