Adult vaccination against respiratory infections in Egypt: a review of expert opinions

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Lower respiratory tract infection is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world, with a substantial impact on healthcare costs. In Egypt, local consensus on its burden, diagnosis, and vaccination is scarce. This expert opinion is the first to address the local recommendations for vaccinating adults against respiratory infection. It sheds light on the growing need to understand the barriers and underpublicized concept of adult vaccination in Egypt.

Areas covered

A collaborative multidisciplinary panel from Egypt developed an expert opinion-based suggestions/points, including epidemiology, microbiology, and highlights on vaccination in Egypt, as well as challenges and recommendations regarding adult vaccination.

Expert opinion

Adult vaccinations against respiratory infections are now recommended for high-risk people by all healthcare regulatory bodies. However, it was acknowledged that there may be hesitancy and concerns among patients; in addition, healthcare professionals’ awareness about vaccination guidelines and benefits needs improvement. There are several strategies that could be implemented to enhance vaccine adherence in Egypt. These approaches encompass conducting community education programs, addressing the concerns of patients, and enhancing awareness among healthcare professionals through education, policy changes, and periodical reminders in each healthcare setting.

KEYWORDS:

• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Egypt
• pneumococcal vaccination
• pneumonia
• respiratory infections
• vaccination status

Article highlights

• Vaccination against respiratory infections is recommended for elderly populations, patients with underlying medical conditions, and patients receiving immunosuppressants.

• In Egypt, most of the population are not vaccinated against respiratory infections, primarily due to lack of awareness, patients’ skepticism regarding preventive measures, and costs.

• Enhancing public awareness about vaccinations is crucial, either through media campaigns or community outreach programs supported by healthcare providers and influential figures.

• Informing physicians on the recommended vaccines for different age groups will decrease misconceptions and misinformation about vaccines that normally discourage patients in need of them.

• Addressing the gaps in the vaccination status in Egypt requires a multi-faceted approach that also involves expanding access to vaccines, addressing affordability issues, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

Declaration of interest

All the authors received fair market honorarium for their time spent in the panel meeting and have no other conflicts of interest to declare. The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Nardine Nabil (Medical Science Liaison, Vaccines, Pfizer Ltd., Egypt) for providing editorial support.

Reviewer disclosures

A reviewer on this manuscript was paid a small honorarium for completing the review within a specified timeframe. The remaining reviewers have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Author contributions

All the authors participated in the advisory board meeting based on which the expert opinion manuscript has been developed. All the authors have equally contributed to conception, drafting, and reviewing all aspects of the publication. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The financial coordination for the panel meeting and the editorial support and medical writing for this article were funded by Pfizer Ltd., Egypt.