Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

Preparing for seasonal flu vaccination in Uganda: Flu seasonality and the most vulnerable population

9^th Global Summit and Expo on Vaccines & Vaccination

November 30-December 02, 2015 San Francisco, USA

B Namagambo, J T Kayiwa, T Byaruhanga, R Chiza, N Owor, N Babi, I Nabukenya, B Bakamutumaho and J J Lutwama

Uganda Virus Research Institute-National Influenza Centre, Uganda

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Vaccines & Vaccin

Abstract:

Influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illness and death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to assess flu seasonality in Uganda and to examine the exposed groups of people to be taken account of, in the flu vaccination plans. We established a sentinel surveillance system for influenza in five hospitals and out-patient clinics respectively and other identified areas of outbreaks in four distinct geographical regions of Uganda (northern, eastern western and central), using standard case definitions for influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI). Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens were collected from April 2007 through Mar 2014 from patients with ILI and SARI aged â?¥2 months, tested for influenza A and B with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and sub-typed for seasonal A/ H1, A/H3, A/H5, and 2009 pandemic influenza A (pH1N1). Out of 11,254 specimens tested for Influenza, 1054 (9.4%) were positive for Influenza A, 415 (4%) positive for B and 2 (0.01%) were co-infections of Influenza A and B. The median age of patients affected with influenza was 5 years, patients aged less than 5 years had the highest influenza-positive percentage (45%), and patients aged 45 and above years had the lowest percentage (2%). Influenza circulated throughout the years and percentage of influenza-positives peaked during June. Supply of seasonal flu vaccinations should be carried out prior to the flu season and special emphasis should be put on targeting the most vulnerable populations.

Biography :

Email: barb.namax@gmail.com