Acceptance and Adverse Effects of H1N1 Vaccinations Among a Cohort of National Guard Health Care Workers during the 2009 Hajj Season.

Background: The H1N1 influenza pandemic had garnered a large amount of attention. Currently, the most effective preventive measure available is the H1N1 vaccine. We aimed to assess the willingness of our study participants to receive the H1N1 vaccination prior to the annual Hajj season.

Influenza a common viral infection among Hajj pilgrims: time for routine surveillance and vaccination.

Background: The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia brings over two million people to a small confined area. Respiratory tract infection is the most common disease transmitted during this period. For most of the etiologic agents of upper respiratory tract infections, no vaccine or prophylaxis is available, except for influenza.