Comparison between a conventional subunit vaccine and the MF59-adjuvanted subunit influenza vaccine in the elderly: an evaluation of the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity for two seasonal influ- enza subunit vaccines, one with MF59 adjuvant (Fluad?) and one without an adjuvant (Agrippal?). A total of 195 subjects aged ? 65 years were enrolled to receive one dose of vaccine intramuscularly, 96 were vaccinated with Fluad?, 99 received Agrippal?. Blood samples were taken from all subjects in order to assess their antibody titre by the haemagglutination inhibition assay (HI), before (Time 0) and after (Time 1: 28 ± 7 days) vaccination, against the A/H3N2 (A/Moscow/10/99), A/H1N1 (A/New Caledonia/20/99) and B/Shandong/7/97 antigens contained in the influenza vaccine in the 2002/2003 influenza season for the northern emisphere. A good humoral antibody response was detected for both vac- cines, meeting all the criteria of EMEA. The number of subjects in whom a ? 4-fold increase in antibody titre was recorded, in comparison with the pre-vaccination value, proved to be lower in the group vaccinated with Agrippal? than in those vaccinated with the adjuvated preparation. Fluad? exhibited better immu- nogenicity than Agrippal?. This difference was probably linked to the potentiated immune stimulation exerted by the adjuvant molecules. These results take on a particular importance if we consider that the immune system is weaker in the elderly; the admin- istration of an adjuvated vaccine in such subjects is clearly preferable in that it provides greater and more prolonged protection. Both vaccines were generally well tolerated; no severe adverse events occurred in any of the subjects vaccinated, confirming the excellent safety profile of Fluad? and Agrippal
https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2009.50.2.173
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