title: Influenza vaccination guidelines and vaccine sales in southeast Asia: 2008-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Southeast Asia is a region with great potential for the emergence of a pandemic influenza virus. Global efforts to improve influenza surveillance in this region have documented the burden and seasonality of influenza viruses and have informed influenza prevention strategies, but little information exists about influenza vaccination guidelines and vaccine sales.
  
  
  METHODS
  To ascertain the existence of influenza vaccine guidelines and define the scope of vaccine sales, we sent a standard three-page questionnaire to the ten member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We also surveyed three multinational manufacturers who supply influenza vaccines in the region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vaccine sales in the private sector were <1000 per 100,000 population in the 10 countries. Five countries reported purchasing vaccine for use in the public sector. In 2011, Thailand had the highest combined reported rate of vaccine sales (10,333 per 100,000). In the 10 countries combined, the rate of private sector sales during 2010-2011 (after the A(H1N1)2009pdm pandemic) exceeded 2008 pre-pandemic levels. Five countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) had guidelines for influenza vaccination but only two were consistent with global guidelines. Four recommended vaccination for health care workers, four for elderly persons, three for young children, three for persons with underlying disease, and two for pregnant women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of vaccine sales in Southeast Asia remains low, but there was a positive impact in sales after the A(H1N1)2009pdm pandemic. Low adherence to global vaccine guidelines suggests that more work is needed in the policy arena.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Vinay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Fatimah S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Dawood
authors.forename: Charung
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muangchana
authors.forename: Phan Trong
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Anonh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xeuatvongsa
authors.forename: Ly
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sovann
authors.forename: Remigio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olveda
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cutter
authors.forename: Khin Yi
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Oo
authors.forename: Theresia Sandra Diah
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ratih
authors.forename: Chong Chee
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kheong
authors.forename: Bryan K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Kapella
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kitsutani
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Sonja J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000191:economics* / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines