Uncovering the Burden of Influenza-Associated Illness across Levels of Severity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Across Three Seasons
This study demonstrates a significant burden of influenza-associated SARI hospitalizations in Saudi Arabia, with the highest rates observed in the elderly and young children. Seasonal variation was evident, highlighting the urgent need to enhance influenza vaccination coverage, particularly among high-risk groups such as the elderly and young children, to reduce severe outcomes. Expanding sentinel surveillance to more regions and incorporating detailed clinical and economic data are recommended to better inform public health policies. Strengthening pandemic preparedness and tailoring vaccination campaigns based on seasonality and age-specific risk will be critical for mitigating the influenza burden in Saudi Arabia.
Authors
- Sheena G. Sullivan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0856-0294)
- Amal Barakat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8605-0353)
- Najim Z. Alshahrani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2163-004X)
- Hala Abou El Naja (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9703-1708)
- Randah M. Alalweet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4507-8189)
- Amir Aman
- Stefano Tempia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4395-347X)
- Abdullah M. Asiri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7905-3209)
- Lama Alwalan
- Mostafa I. Mohamed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5188-4989)
- Amal M. Alshahrani
- Seham F. Basheer
- Ghaliah Albugami
- Norah Alhazir
- Haleema Alsreehi
- Ezzualdeen Okmi
- Osman Hamedelneil
Institutions
- University of Jeddah (SA)
- World Health Organization (CH)
- World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EG)
- Ministry of Health (SA)
- Monash University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
- Published
- 2025-03-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00390-1
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.77