Meningitis and seasonal influenza vaccination coverage among military personnel in central Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the meningitis and influenza vaccination coverage rates among Saudi military personnel in Riyadh (Central Military Region [CMR]), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, (KSA) and the socio-demographic factors that influence vaccination.

METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on a sample of 2286 military personnel from different army forces and different military ranks in CMR in KSA selected by a 2-stage stratified random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire designed for the National Military Health Survey was used with a section added for assessment of vaccination status. Data collection was carried out from May to August 2009.

RESULTS: The response rate was 97.6%. The vaccination coverage was higher for meningitis (51.7%) compared with influenza (17.8%). A high percentage lacked awareness of their vaccination status. Vaccination rates were higher in the Land Forces, and increased with more years of education, and lower crowding index.

CONCLUSION: The proportion of vaccination coverage among military personnel in CMR of KSA is low, especially for influenza, along with their awareness of their vaccination status. A vaccination program that includes awareness promotion of vaccine-preventable diseases is recommended, with changes in the policies to mandate vaccination against meningitis and influenza.