Prevention of Influenza and Other Respiratory Diseases
Abstract
The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the protective efficacy of a recombinant neuraminidase-specific influenza A vaccine in a military population. A second objective was the continuing assessment of effectiveness of standard military bivalent influenza vaccines in the event of an outbreak of either influenza A or influenza B. A field trial was set up in newly inducted men at Lowry Air Force Base. The vaccine elicited a striking response to neuraminidase antibody which was quite comparable to that seen in individuals infected with influenza A during the preceding two years. The vaccine also elicited an unexpected increase in hemagglutinating inhibiting antibody to the Port Chalmers strain of influenza A. Overall, 23% of the vaccine recipients developed significant rise in HI antibody. Among those with titers of 8 or less than 8, 60% showed increases in antibody. These observations indicated that had influenza occurred, it would have been difficult to assess whether any observed protective effect would have been due to the neuraminidase antibody or to the hemagglutinating inhibiting antibody. Influenza A was present on the base for approximately six weeks, approximately 12 weeks between December and February of 1974-75, but failed to cause a significant amount of disease among Base personnel, virtually all of whom had received regular military vaccine. The incidence of other febrile respiratory disease was the lowest on record.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADB007394
Entities
People
- Gordon Meiklejohn
- Theodore C. Eickhoff
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder