title: Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Acute Respiratory Symptoms in Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims.
abstract: Respiratory illness were a major problem and caused high hospital admission during hajj seasons. One of the contributing cause to this illness is infection. Various measures had been implemented to reduce respiratory infections. The aim on the study is to determine the effect of influenza vaccination against acute respiratory illness among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. This is an observational cohort study. Influenza vaccination was given to pilgrims at least 2 weeks prior to departure. The occurrence of symptoms for respiratory illness such as cough, fever, sore throat and runny nose was monitored daily for 6 weeks during pilgrimage using a health diary. A total of 65 vaccinated hajj pilgrims and 41 controls were analyzed. There was no significant difference in pattern of occurrence of symptoms of respiratory illness by duration of pilgrimage as well as the number of symptoms between both groups. Hajj pilgrims have frequent respiratory symptoms. We were unable to document benefit from influenza vaccination, but our study was limited by a small sample size and lack of laboratory testing for influenza.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia, drhabsah@usm.my.
authors.forename: Habsah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Zakuan Zainy
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Deris
authors.forename: Siti Amrah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sulaiman
authors.forename: Mohd Suhaimi
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abdul Wahab
authors.forename: Nyi Nyi
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Naing
authors.forename: Zulkefle
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ab Rahman
authors.forename: Nor Hayati
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Othman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007514:Islam; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines