Since August 2011, a total of 12 human infections with influenza A (H3N2) variant viruses with genes from avian, swine, and human viruses (i.e., A [H3N2]v) that had acquired the M gene from influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus have been reported to CDC. Eleven of the cases occurred in children aged <10 years. In six cases, no history of recent exposure to swine was noted, suggesting that human-to-huma...

Stability studies play a critical role in assuring product quality at all points in the vaccine life cycle. These studies used to determine vaccine expiry date and vaccine efficacy. Accelerated stability and long term stability study performed for three batches of trivalent oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) and three batches of monovalent OPV (type1) manufactured by Razi institute. After samplin...

There are two types of flu vaccines: the injection and the nasal spray. Injectable flu vaccines usually contain inactivated strains of types A and B flu virus and help your body to provide immunity to these two common strains of the flu. The nasal spray vaccine contains a live, but weakened version of the same strains ? but its use isn't currently recommended [2]. Any immunity from these vaccin...

The 2011/12 season was characterised by unusually late influenza A (H3N2) activity in the United Kingdom (UK). We measured vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the 2011/12 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (TIV) in a test-negative case–control study in primary care. Overall VE against confirmed influenza A (H3N2) infection, adjusted for age, surveillance scheme and month, was 23% (95% confidence in...

A patch containing a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) was prepared in a dried, stabilized formulation for transcutaneous delivery. When used in a guinea pig immunogenicity model, the dry patch was as effective as a wet TIV patch in inducing serum anti-influenza IgG antibodies. When the dry TIV patch was administered with LT as an adjuvant, a robust immune response was obtained that...

BACKGROUND The recent H1N1 influenza pandemic illustrated the shortcomings of the vaccine manufacturing process. The A/California/07/2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine or A(H1N1)pdm09 was available late and in short supply as a result of delays in production caused by low yields and poor antigen stability. Recombinant technology offers the opportunity to shorten manufacturing time. A trivalen...

BACKGROUND Exposure to contemporary seasonal influenza A viruses affords partial immunity to pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza A virus (pH1N1) infection. The impact of antibodies to the neuraminidase (NA) of seasonal influenza A viruses to cross-immunity against pH1N1 infection is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Antibodies to the NA of different seasonal H1N1 influenza strains were tested for cross-r...

Seasonal influenza epidemics recur due to antigenic drift of envelope glycoprotein antigens and immune evasion of circulating viruses. Additionally, antigenic shift can lead to influenza pandemics. Thus, a universal vaccine that protects against multiple influenza virus strains could alleviate the continuing impact of this virus on human health. In mice, accelerated clearance of a new viral str...

BACKGROUND Children 6 through 35 months of age are recommended to receive half the dose of influenza vaccine compared with older children and adults. METHODS This was a 6-site, randomized 2:1, double-blind study comparing full-dose (0.5 mL) trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) with half-dose (0.25 mL) TIV in children 6 through 35 months of age. Children previously immunized with infl...

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of trivalent influenza vaccines may be reduced in older versus younger adults because of age-related immunosenescence. The use of an adjuvant in such a vaccine is one strategy that may combat immunosenescence, potentially by bolstering T-cell mediated responses. METHODS This observer-blind study, conducted in the United States (US) and Spain during the 2008-2009 i...