Antigenically Distinct MF59-Adjuvanted Vaccine to Boost Immunity to H5N1

• Published in: The New England journal of medicine Vol. 359; no. 15; pp. 1631 - 1633
• Main Authors: Hancock, Kathy, Hoschler, Katja, Stephenson, Iain, Praus, Michaela, Zambon, Maria C, Banzhoff, Angelika, DeVos, Joshua, Nicholson, Karl G, Katz, Jacqueline M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Massachusetts Medical Society 09.10.2008
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - administration & dosage; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Emulsions; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype - immunology; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza Vaccines - immunology; Influenza, Human - immunology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Injections, Intramuscular; Polysorbates; Squalene
• ISSN: 0028-4793; 1533-4406
• DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc0805274

The authors report on an open-label study of an MF59-adjuvanted vaccine against avian influenza. The findings indicate that priming subjects with H5 antigen induces a rapidly mobilized, long-lasting immune memory after the administration of low-dose, antigenically distinct vaccine. To the Editor: Antigenically distinct avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses are widely dispersed. 1 Clade 1 H5N1 viruses previously predominated in Indochina. Indonesian, Eurasian, and African viruses are clustered in a clade 2 group, with antigenically distinct sublineages. Clade 0 viruses caused influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong in 1997 but have not been isolated since then. To reduce shortfalls in vaccine supply at the onset of the next pandemic, advance stockpiling of vaccine has been suggested. Because of antigenic evolution of H5N1, current vaccines may be suboptimally matched to the actual pandemic virus. Proactive priming may induce immune memory, allowing low-dose . . .