Influenza Immunization: Field Trial on a University Campus

Abstract

The purpose of this field trial on influenza vaccine, which was done with a population of university students, was to compare the aerosol route with the subcutaneous route of vaccine administration and the Hong Kong influenza vaccine with the older A₂ influenza vaccine (“bivalent” vaccine). Side-effects of the vaccines were significantly higher in the groups that received the vaccine subcutaneously. There were no more side-effects in those who received vaccine by aerosol. There was a significant reduction in the rate of illness in all groups vaccinated except for the group given bivalent vaccine subcutaneously. Recipents of Hong Kong vaccine had significantly greater protection than did recipients of the bivalent vaccine. Recipients of aerosol vaccine had significantly better protection than did those who received vaccine by the subcutaneous route. The data suggest that protection was closely related to the ability of the vaccine to stimulate nasalsecretion antibody to the A₂ Hong Kong influenza virus.