Reactogenicity and serological response to polyvalent aqueous and al (OH)3 adsorbed tween-ether split product influenza vaccine in young adults 1979

Abstract

A comparative clinical trial with an aluminium hydroxide absorbed polyvalent tween-ether split influenza vaccine and a tween-ether split fluid vaccine of equal antigenic content was performed in young adults in 1979. Two vaccinations were given 28 days apart. Reactogenicity was evaluated by means of a questionnaire and the antibody response by the hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). The anti-Nl-neuraminidase response (NI) was determined in some of those who were vaccinated. Although reactogenicity was low, there were significantly more local reactions reported from those receiving Al (OH)3 adsorbed vaccines. Prior to vaccination approximately 90% of the volunteers' antibody titers to A/Brazil/11/78, the H1N1 strain contained in the vaccine, were <32. More than 50% of the volunteers with low titered antibody born after 1955 responded with a booster reaction to H1N1. Neuraminidase-inhibition tests proved to be a much more sensitive indicator of priming. The antibody response in the primed individuals was highly satisfactory after one vaccination and there was no difference between the two vaccine types. In non-primed subjects two injections were necessary to reach a titer of ≥ 32 in approximately 80% of the volunteers for A/Brazil/11/78. There was no difference in the response to the two types of vaccine. The results of these and other studies show that it is not warranted to use aluminum adsorbed influenza vaccines.