Lebanon

Through joining PIVI in 2022, Lebanon will provide technical support to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and have a secure supply of influenza vaccines for healthcare workers. A study led by the MOPH on influenza vaccination of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic reported an increase in influenza vaccine coverage since the pandemic began. 

Prior to joining PIVI, partnerships between academic medical centers and the MOPH enhanced testing and laboratory capacity in Lebanon. Currently, influenza surveillance includes hospital-based and ICU-based reporting of SARI cases. Using sentinel surveillance data, the MOPH worked with WHO to estimate the influenza-associated respiratory hospitalization burden. Seasonal influenza is not yet a part of the national immunization program though there are national policy recommendations for influenza vaccine for clinical risk groups.