Influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in GCC countries: a narrative review of enablers and barriers

IntroductionInfluenza is a contagious viral infection and a significant seasonal threat to public health. Vaccinating healthcare workers (HCWs) is a critical strategy for protecting vulnerable patients and the healthcare workforce. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, vaccine uptake is <75%, despite the healthcare promotion initiatives and free vaccination campaigns. To guide future initiatives, this review aims to evaluate the evidence regarding influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs in the GCC, as well as the perceived enablers and barriers.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect for relevant studies published between 2010 and 2025. This review includes studies addressing influenza vaccine utilization and its determinants among HCWs in GCC countries.ResultsVaccine uptake rates across the GCC vary widely, from 36.9% in a study from Bahrain to 88.3% in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season. Although higher than the global average, vaccine uptake in the GCC countries (about 51%), is still below the WHO target.DiscussionThe desire for self-protection and protection of patients and family members were the commonly cited vaccination enablers. Institutional factors, including mandatory policies, employer recommendations, free on-site access, and targeted awareness campaigns, were strongly associated with higher uptake. Conversely, barriers such as fear of side effects, doubts about vaccine efficacy, misconceptions about the necessity of vaccination, and logistical constraints such as lack of time was commonly cited. Influenza vaccine coverage among HCWs in the GCC is suboptimal and highly variable. Mandatory institutional policies and accessible campaigns have proven to be effective enablers. To achieve WHO targets, future strategies focusing on mitigation of specific barriers such as educational efforts to counter misinformation, increase the convenience of vaccination and improve access for all HCWs across healthcare cadres.