Safety and immunogenicity of a subvirion inactivated influenza A/H5N1 vaccine with or without aluminum hydroxide among healthy elderly adults

A total of 600 healthy adults ≥65 years were randomized to receive 2 vaccinations 1 month apart of a subvirion avian influenza A/H5N1 vaccine containing 3.75, 7.5, 15, or 45 μg of hemagglutinin (HA) with or without aluminum hydroxide (AlOH). All formulations were safe. Groups given the vaccine with AlOH had more injection site discomfort. Dose-related increases in antibody responses were noted after the second vaccination. Antibody responses to the vaccine were not enhanced by AlOH at any HA dose level. A microneutralization titer ≥40 was observed in 36% and 40% of subjects who received 45 μg of HA with or without AlOH, respectively.     

A Phase 2/3 double blinded,randomized, placebo-controlled study in healthy adult participants in Vietnam to examine the safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated whole virion,alum adjuvanted,A(H5N1) influenza vaccine (IVACFLU-A/H5N1)

BackgroundA global shortfall of vaccines for avian influenza A(H5N1) would occur, especially in low- and-middle income countries, if a pandemic were to occur. To address this issue, development of a pre-pandemic influenza vaccine was initiated in 2012, leveraging a recently established influenza vaccine manufacturing capacity in Vietnam.MethodsThis was a Phase 2/3, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study to test the safety and immunogenicity of IVACFLU-A/H5N1 vaccine in healthy adults. Phase 2 was a dose selection study, in which 300 participants were randomized to one of the three groups (15 mcg, 30 mcg, or placebo). Safety and immunogenicity were assessed in all participants. In Phase 3, 630 participants were randomized to receive the IVACFLU-A/H5N1 vaccine dose selected in Phase 2 (15 mcg, n = 525) or placebo (n = 105). Safety was assessed in all Phase 3 participants and immunogenicity was measured in a subset of participants.ResultsThe vaccine was well tolerated and most of the adverse events were mild and of short duration. Mild pain at the injection site was the most common adverse event seen in 60 percent of participants in the vaccine group in Phase 3. In Phase 2, both 15 mcg and 30 mcg doses were immunogenic, so the lower dose was selected for further testing in Phase 3. In Phase 3 overall seroconversion rates were 68 percent for hemagglutination inhibition (HI), 51 percent for microneutralization (MN) and 56 percent for single radial hemolysis (SRH). The seroprotection rates were 44 percent for HI, 41 percent for MN and 55 percent for SRH. The GMT ratio was 5.31 and 3.7 for HI and MN respectively; GMA was 4.75 for the SRH.ConclusionThe IVACFLU A/H5N1 was safe and immunogenic. Development of this pandemic avian influenza vaccine is a welcome addition to the limited global pool of these vaccines.ClinicalTrials.gov register NCT02612909.     

江苏省甲型H1N1流感裂解疫苗的免疫效果分析

2009年甲型H1N1流感的流行引起了广泛重视,接种疫苗是预防流感流行、降低死亡率和病死率的最有效方法[1],本研究通过比较不同人群甲型H1N1抗体水平变化趋势,初步评估甲型H1N1流感裂解疫苗的免疫效果. 1.对象与方法: (1)研究对象:2009年11月、12月、2010年2月,在江苏省随机选择甲型H1N1流感疫苗接种人群(免疫人群),连续采集同一批人群(共281人)免疫前、免疫后1个月及3个月的血清标本(排除季节性流感疫苗接种者和接种前1个月内有流感样症状者);连续采集甲型H1N1流感确诊病例(发病时间为2009年10月15日至11月15日,经RT-PCR检测确诊为甲型H1N1流感病毒感染[1])同一组病例发病2周内(107例)、发病后1个月(77例)及3个月(52例)的血清标本(排除甲型H1N1流感疫苗和季节性流感疫苗接种者),选择同时期自然人群作为背景资料.     

Vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in zoos using an adjuvanted inactivated H5N2 vaccine

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus infections have recently caused unprecedented morbidity and mortality in a wide range of avian species. European Commission directive 2005/744/EC allowed vaccination in zoos under strict conditions, while reducing confinement measures. Vaccination with a commercial H5N2 vaccine with vaccine doses adapted to mean body weight per species was safe, and proved immunogenic throughout the range of species tested, with some variations between and within taxonomic orders. After booster vaccination the overall homologous geometric mean titre (GMT) to the vaccine strain, measured in 334 birds, was 190 (95% CI: 152-236), and 80.5% of vaccinated birds developed a titre of >or=40. Titres to the HPAI H5N1 virus followed a similar trend, but were lower (GMT: 61 (95% CI: 49-76); 61%>or=40). The breadth of the immune response was further demonstrated by measuring antibody titres against prototype strains of four antigenic clades of currently circulating H5N1 viruses. These data indicate that vaccination should be regarded as a beneficial component of the preventive measures (including increased bio-security and monitoring) that can be undertaken in zoos to prevent an outbreak of and decrease environmental contamination by HPAI H5N1 virus, while alleviating confinement measures.     

Extrapolating theoretical efficacy of inactivated influenza A/H5N1 virus vaccine from human immunogenicity studies

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 has been a public health concern for almost 20 years due to its potential ability to become transmissible among humans. Phase I and II clinical trials have assessed safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of inactivated influenza A/H5N1 virus vaccines. A shortage of vaccine is likely to occur during the first months of a pandemic. Hence, determining whether to give one dose to more people or two doses to fewer people to best protect the population is essential. We use hemagglutination–inhibition antibody titers as an immune correlate for avian influenza vaccines. Using an established relationship to obtain a theoretical vaccine efficacy from immunogenicity data from thirteen arms of six phase I and phase II clinical trials of inactivated influenza A/H5N1 virus vaccines, we assessed: (1) the proportion of theoretical vaccine efficacy achieved after a single dose (defined as primary response level), and (2) whether theoretical efficacy increases after a second dose, with and without adjuvant. Participants receiving vaccine with AS03 adjuvant had higher primary response levels (range: 0.48–0.57) compared to participants receiving vaccine with MF59 adjuvant (range: 0.32–0.47), with no observed trends in primary response levels by antigen dosage. After the first and second doses, vaccine with AS03 at dosage levels 3.75, 7.5 and 15 mcg had the highest estimated theoretical vaccine efficacy: Dose (1) 45% (95% CI: 36–57%), 53% (95% CI: 42–63%) and 55% (95% CI: 44–64%), respectively and Dose (2) 93% (95% CI: 89–96%), 97% (95% CI: 95–98%) and 97% (95% CI: 96–100%), respectively. On average, the estimated theoretical vaccine efficacy of lower dose adjuvanted vaccines (AS03 and MF59) was 17% higher than that of higher dose unadjuvanted vaccines, suggesting that including an adjuvant is dose-sparing. These data indicate adjuvanted inactivated influenza A/H5N1 virus vaccine produces high theoretical efficacy after two doses to protect individuals against a potential avian influenza pandemic.     

Randomized safety and immunogenicity trial of a seasonal trivalent inactivated split virion influenza vaccine (IVACFLU-S) in healthy young Vietnamese adults

BackgroundUnder the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan, PATH supported evaluation of a trivalent, seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine candidate produced by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), a Vietnamese manufacturer.MethodsIn 2015, 60 healthy adult subjects 18–45 years of age were enrolled in a Phase 1, single center, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted at a district health center in Thai Binh Province, Vietnam. The study evaluated the overall safety and immunogenicity of a seasonal, trivalent inactivated split virion influenza vaccine. Volunteers were given either vaccine or placebo in a randomized 1:1 ratio.After undergoing screening, eligible volunteers provided their signed consent and were enrolled in the study. On the first day of immunization, randomly chosen volunteers received IVACFLU-S 15 μg (mcg) hemagglutinin of each of the three strains in 0.5 mL or placebo by intramuscular injection. All volunteers were monitored for adverse events and underwent blood testing at screening and Day 8 to assess the vaccine candidate’s safety. Sera obtained before and 21 days after immunization were tested for influenza antibody titers using the hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) and microneutralization tests (MNT).ResultsVaccine was well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse events reported. HAI and MNT identified serum antibody responses against the three influenza strains in nearly all volunteers who received the vaccine. Overall, serum HAI responses of fourfold or greater were observed in 93 percent, 83 percent, and 77 percent of H1, H3, and B strains, respectively. Seroprotection rates were also very high.ConclusionsIVAC’s seasonal, trivalent influenza vaccine was safe and well tolerated and induced high levels of seroconversion and seroprotection rates. These clinical data are a first step towards demonstrating the feasibility of producing the vaccine locally and that seasonal vaccine production in Vietnam may be an effective strategy for enhancing the global influenza vaccine supply. ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02598089, October 15, 2015.     

Immunogenicity and safety of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent inactivated split vaccine in Korea

In a pandemic, the development of an effective influenza vaccine is the most important subject from the view of public health. This study was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of inactivated, monovalent H1N1 2009 vaccine (Green Cross Corporation, Yongin, Korea) among healthy adults aged 19-64 years (Group 1) and the elderly aged ≥65 years (Group 2) in a two-dose regimen, 21 days apart. At baseline, 28 of 454 participants (6.1%) had hemagglutination-inhibition titers of ≥1:40 with no significant difference between age groups (p = 0.27). There was an apparent dose-dependent antibody response; participants receiving the dose of 30 μg hemagglutinin (HA) showed higher geometric mean titers (GMTs) than the 15 μg HA group in both age groups. Despite the rates of seroprotection and seroconversion were significantly higher with 30 μg HA formulation than 15 μg HA formula in Group 2, there was no definite difference in Group 1 irrespective of vaccine formula. Significant GMT elevation after the second dose was not noted in either age group, regardless vaccine formulations. No deaths, vaccine-related serious adverse events, or immediate unsolicited adverse reactions occurred during the study periods.     

Immunogenicity and safety of inactivated monovalent 2009 H1N1 influenza A vaccine in immunocompromised children and young adults

Background

Influenza vaccination is recommended for immunocompromised patients.

Methods

Children (6 months to 21 years) with cancer, HIV infection, or sickle cell disease (SCD) received 1 or 2 doses of pandemic 2009 H1N1 monovalent influenza vaccine (H1N1 MIV). Safety and tolerability, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) antibody titers were measured against 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus after each dose. Seroprotection (SP) and seroconversion (SC) rates were determined.

Results

103 participants were enrolled and 99 were evaluable (39 with HIV, 37 with cancer and 23 with SCD). Mean age (±SD) was 7.9 (±5.4) years for cancer participants, 18.0 (±3.5) for HIV, and 13.3 (±4.2) for SCD. 54% were males; 65% black; and 96% had received seasonal influenza vaccine. HIV-infected participants had a median CD4 count of 625 cells/mm³ (range, 140-1260). 46% had an undetectable HIV viral load and 41% were perinatally infected. No participant had vaccine-related serious adverse events. None developed influenza A proven illness during the 6 months after the vaccine. Local injection reactions were reported in 29% and systemic reactions in 42% after the first dose of vaccine. SC and SP were achieved after the last dose in 48% and 52%, respectively, of participants with leukemia or lymphoma, 50% and 75% of participants with solid tumors, 63% and 92% of HIV-infected participants, and 74% and 100% of participants with SCD.

Conclusion

H1N1 MIV was safe and well tolerated. H1N1 MIV resulted in an adequate immune response in children with SCD. It was only modestly immunogenic in cancer or HIV participants.     

An open label Phase I trial of a live attenuated H6N1 influenza virus vaccine in healthy adults

Background

We describe the results of an open label Phase I trial of a live attenuated H6N1 influenza virus vaccine (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00734175).

Methods and findings

We evaluated the safety, infectivity, and immunogenicity of two doses of 10⁷ TCID₅₀ of the H6N1 Teal HK 97/AA ca vaccine, a cold-adapted and temperature sensitive live, attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in healthy seronegative adults.Twenty-two participants received the first dose of the vaccine, and 18 received the second dose of vaccine 4 weeks later. The vaccine had a safety profile similar to that of other investigational LAIVs bearing avian hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. The vaccine was highly restricted in replication: two participants had virus detectable by rRT-PCR beyond day 1 after each dose. Antibody responses to the vaccine were also restricted: 43% of participants developed a serum antibody response as measured by any assay: 5% by hemagglutination-inhibition assay, 5% by microneutralization assay, 29% by ELISA for H6 HA-specific IgG and 24% by ELISA for H6 HA specific IgA after either 1 or 2 doses. Following the second dose, vaccine specific IgG and IgA secreting cells as measured by ELISPOT increased from a mean of 0.6 to 9.2/10⁶ PBMCs and from 0.2 to 2.2/10⁶ PBMCs, respectively.

Conclusion

The H6N1 LAIV had a safety profile similar to that of LAIV bearing other HA and NA genes, but was highly restricted in replication in healthy seronegative adults. The H6N1 LAIV was also not as immunogenic as the seasonal LAIV.     

甲型H1N1流感疫苗免疫原性及安全性评价

目的 评价2种国产新型甲型H1N1流感病毒裂解疫苗的免疫原性与安全性.方法 采用随机、双盲、对照方法,选取≥3岁健康志愿者748人,分为2组,分别于0、21 d接种甲、乙2种不同疫苗,剂量均为15μg血凝素/剂,并分别测定比较0、21和42 d的抗体阳转率、疫苗保护率和血清HI抗体滴度,判定其免疫原性;观察比较接种后不良反应率,评价其安全性.结果 甲、乙2种疫苗免疫后21、42 d抗体阳转率分别为81.39%、92.01%和94.05%、95.80%,抗体保护率分别为84.17%、95.36%和96.88%、99.21%,几何平均滴度(GMT)增长倍数分别为34.37、55.34倍和43.69、57.20倍;疫苗接种后30 min内,发热发生率分别为9.44%、14.69%和4.53%、2.36%;除42 d抗体阳转率和发热发生率外,其余各指标在2种疫苗问的差异均有统计学意义.结论 甲、乙2种疫苗均具有良好的免疫原性和安全性.     

Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated cell culture-derived H7N9 influenza vaccine in healthy adults: A phase I/II,prospective, randomized,open-label trial

BackgroundWe conducted a phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell-grown inactivated H7N9 influenza vaccine for pandemic preparedness purposes.MethodsBetween April 7, 2015 and May 27, 2016, healthy adults aged 20–60 years were enrolled sequentially in phase I (n = 40) and phase II (n = 160) from three hospitals in Taiwan and randomized to receive 2 doses of whole-virus H7N9 vaccine (15 or 30 μg hemagglutinin antigen (HA) with or without an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant) at 21-day intervals. Safety up to 180 days and changes in hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) titers at 21 days after each vaccination were determined.ResultsOf the 200 randomized subjects, 193 (96.5%) received 2 doses of the study vaccine and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis for safety, and 190 (95%) were included in the per-protocol analysis for immunogenicity. Most adverse events were mild and transient; no death or vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported. Overall, higher immune responses were observed in the groups administered with 30 μg HA formulation than in the other two groups administered with 15 μg HA formulation. The highest immune response was observed in subjects who received 2 doses of the adjuvanted vaccine containing 30 μg HA with HI titer, seroprotection rate, seroconversion rate, and seroconversion factor of 36.2, 64.6%, 64.6% and 5.7, respectively.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that the H7N9 influenza vaccine containing 30 µg HA with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant was immunogenic and safe in adults aged 20–60 years.CLINICALTRIALS.GOV identifier: NCT02436928.     

流感疫苗安全性和免疫效果观察

[目的 ]　评价流行性感冒疫苗 (防感灵TM)接种后的安全性和抗体阳转情况。 [方法 ]　采用随机和双盲法选择接种组和对照组 ,分别接种流感疫苗和伤寒Vi疫苗。接种后 3天内进行安全性观察。同时 ,免后 4个月时采集静脉血检测流感血凝抑制抗体的产生情况。 [结果 ]　接种组一般副反应率为 1.70 % ,全身副反应率为0 .6 4% ,与对照组差异无显著性。A1、A3、B型的血凝抑制抗体阳转率分别为 97.7%、99.2 %和 82 .9% ,接种组GMT均明显高于对照组。 [结论 ]　流感疫苗 (防感灵TM)安全性良好 ,并且有较好的免疫原性     

广州市甲型H1N1流感裂解疫苗人群免疫效果观察

为有效应对甲型H1N1流感疫情,评价疫苗的人群应用效果,本研究选取广州市自愿接种甲型H1N1流感疫苗的健康成年人,分别检测免前和免后第15天、第30天血清抗体滴度水平,对甲型H1N1流感裂解疫苗的人群免疫效果进行了观察.     

Safety and immunogenicity of inactivated monovalent influenza A/H1N1 vaccine candidate manufactured in Vietnam

We tested a new A/H1N1 inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) manufactured by Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologics (IVAC), Vietnam in 48 adults in a Phase 1, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Two doses of unadjuvanted vaccine or placebo were administered three weeks apart. The vaccine was well tolerated with only transient mild local reactions and low-grade fever in a small proportion of the subjects. One serious adverse event considered unrelated to the study product was reported. The IVAC vaccine proved to be highly immunogenic with 91 percent (95% CI: 0.78, 1) of the subjects developing a ≥4 fold immune responses by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay, and 96 percent (95% CI: 0.78, 1) by the microneutralization (MN) assay. Post-vaccination geometric mean titers (GMTs) were 283.7 (95% CI: 161.7, 497.5) in the HAI and 725.7 (95% CI: 411.3, 1280.3) in the MN assay. These promising results merit further development of the vaccine.ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01507779.     

Safety and immunogenicity of inactivated,Vero cell culture-derived whole virus influenza A/H5N1 vaccine given alone or with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in healthy adults

Dosage-sparing strategies, adjuvants and alternative substrates for vaccine production are being explored for influenza vaccine development. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of a Vero cell culture-grown inactivated whole virus influenza A/H5N1 vaccine with or without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant [Al(OH)₃] in healthy young adults. Vaccines were well tolerated, but injection site discomfort was more frequent in groups receiving Al(OH)₃. Dose-related increases in serum antibody levels were observed. Neutralizing antibody titers varied significantly when tested by two different laboratories.     

Immunogenicity and safety of inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BackgroundA quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) includes two A strains (A/H1N1, A/H3N2) and two B lineages (B/Victoria, B/Yamagata). The presence of both B lineages eliminate potential B lineage mismatch of trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) with the circulating strain.MethodsElectronic database searches of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT), Scopus and Web of Science were conducted for articles published until June 30, 2015 inclusive. Articles were limited to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adults using inactivated intramuscular vaccine and published in English language only. Summary estimates of immunogenicity (by seroprotection and seroconversion rates) and adverse events outcomes were compared between QIV and TIV, using a risk ratio (RR). Studies were pooled using inverse variance weights with a random effect model and the I² statistic was used to estimate heterogeneity.ResultsA total of five RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. For immunogenicity outcomes, QIV had similar efficacy for the three common strains; A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and the B lineage included in the TIV. QIV also showed superior efficacy for the B lineage not included in the TIV; pooled seroprotection RR of 1.14 (95%CI: 1.03–1.25, p = 0.008) and seroconversion RR of 1.78 (95%CI: 1.24–2.55, p = 0.002) for B/Victoria, and pooled seroprotection RR of 1.12 (95%CI: 1.02–1.22, p = 0.01) and seroconversion RR of 2.11 (95%CI: 1.51–2.95, p < 0.001) for B/Yamagata, respectively. No significant differences were found between QIV and TIV for aggregated local and systemic adverse events within 7 days post-vaccination. There were no vaccine-related serious adverse events reported for either QIV or TIV. Compared to TIV, injection-site pain was more common for QIV, with a pooled RR of 1.18 (95%CI: 1.03–1.35, p = 0.02).ConclusionIn adults, inactivated QIV was as immunogenic as seasonal TIV, with equivalent efficacy against the shared three strains included in TIV, and a superior immunogenicity against the non-TIV B lineage.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in adults

Background and aims

Although two antigenically distinct B strain lineages of influenza have co-circulated globally since the mid-1980s, trivalent influenza vaccines (TIVs) contain only one, resulting in frequent mismatches. This study examined the safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) candidate.

Methods

This was a phase III, randomized, active-controlled, multicenter trial in adults during the 2011/2012 influenza season. Enrollment was stratified to include equal numbers of subjects 18–60 and >60 years of age. Subjects were randomized 5:1:1 to be vaccinated with the QIV, the licensed TIV, or an investigational TIV containing the alternate B strain lineage. Hemagglutinin inhibition antibody titers were assessed pre-vaccination and 21 days post-vaccination.

Results

1116 subjects were vaccinated with QIV, 226 with the licensed TIV, and 223 with the investigational TIV. For all four vaccine strains, antibody responses to the QIV were non-inferior to the response to the TIV for the matched strains. For both B strains, post-vaccination antibody responses to the QIV were superior to the responses to the TIVs lacking the corresponding B strain. The QIV met all European Medicines Agency criteria for all four vaccine strains. Solicited reactions, unsolicited adverse events, and serious adverse events were similar for the QIV and pooled TIV groups. The most commonly reported solicited reactions were injection-site pain, headache, and myalgia, and most solicited reactions were mild or moderate and appeared and resolved within 3 days of vaccination. No treatment-related serious adverse events or deaths were reported.

Conclusions

The inactivated QIV was well tolerated without any safety concerns. For all four vaccine strains, antibody responses to the QIV were superior to the responses to TIV for the unmatched strains and non-inferior for the matched strains. QIV could therefore help address an unmet need due to mismatched B strains in previous influenza vaccines.

Clinical trial registry number

EudraCT: 2011-001976-21.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccine in hemodialysis patients

A worldwide vaccination campaign against the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was launched among high-risk subjects, including hemodialysis patients. The long-term immunogenicity of an influenza vaccine has not been investigated in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to (1) assess the long-term immunogenicity of a monovalent non-adjuvanted influenza A (H1N1) vaccine in hemodialysis patients and (2) determine the safety of this vaccine. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 44 hemodialysis patients and 149 healthy controls in 2010. All of the participants received a single dose of the monovalent non-adjuvanted 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. The level of antibodies was measured at baseline and at 4 and 24 weeks post-vaccination using a hemagglutination inhibition assay. The outcomes were the percentages of participants who achieved seroconversion and seroprotection (titer ≥1:40) 4 and 24 weeks after vaccination. At 4 weeks post-vaccination, seroconversion was observed in 17 (38.6%) of the hemodialysis patients and 94 (63.1%) of the controls (P = 0.056), and protective titers were obtained in 22 (50%) of the hemodialysis patients and 100 (67.1%) of the controls (P = 0.426). At 24 weeks post-vaccination, immunogenicity decreased in both the hemodialysis patients and the controls, but there were no significant differences between the hemodialysis patients and the controls in the seroconversion rate (27.3% versus 36.9%, P = 0.526) or the seroprotection rate (38.6% versus 48.3%, P = 0.996). No differences in adverse events were observed between the hemodialysis patients and the controls. In summary, the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccine elicits a similar immune response in both hemodialysis patients and healthy controls, but immunity declines 24 weeks after vaccination in both groups. Hemodialysis patients should at least be vaccinated annually against the influenza virus.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a Proteosome -trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, given nasally to healthy adults

We studied the safety and immunogenicity of a nasally administered vaccine comprising three monovalent inactivated influenza antigens (A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2), and B/Guangdong/120/2000) non-covalently associated with outer membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis (Proteosome) in normal, healthy adults. In a randomized, double-blind trial participants (n = 78) were allocated to placebo or a single nasal dose of vaccine containing 15, 30, or 45 microg of each of the three HA antigens, or two nasal doses containing 30 microg of each HA, separated by 2 weeks. The vaccine was generally well tolerated in all doses tested, and in a one or two-dose schedule. A shallow vaccine reactogenicity dose-response was seen. The most common local reaction was nasal congestion, which occurred in up to 48.3% of vaccine recipients in days 0-6 after vaccine but was mild and self-limiting; this reaction was not significantly more common among active vaccine recipients than placebo recipients. Mild to moderate headache was the most commonly reported systemic reactogenicity complaint in all treatment groups, and was the only solicited complaint to increase significantly in frequency after a second active dose. No severe systemic reactions occurred. A positive and statistically significant antibody response was observed, in serum and in nasal secretions, to increasing dose for all three antigens. Serum HAI titre responses and nasal secretory IgA immune responses were elicited against all three antigens. Further testing of this nasal influenza vaccine is warranted to determine its safety and immunogenicity in these populations and its efficacy in the prevention of clinical illness.