[Evaluation of influenza vaccine Vaxigrip in the combined immunization of conscripts during influenza seasons of 2002-2003]. / Opyt primeneniia grippoznoi vaktsiny Vaksigrip pri sochetannoi immunizatsii prizyvnikov srochnoi sluzhby v épidemicheskom sezone 2002-2003 gg.

The immunization properties of the influenza vaccine Vaxigrip, used in combination with vaccines against pneunococcal infection and hepatitis A (respectively, Pneumo 23 and Avaxim), were evaluated. In Central Russia in one of the units of the internal forces of the RF Ministry of Internal Affairs 3 groups totaling 755 servicemen were formed, depending on the complex of the introduced vaccines. Active medical observation and the registration of the complaints of the vaccinees at the postvaccinal period did not reveal unusual reactions and complications in none of the groups under observation. In the evaluation of the level of specific antibodies to the circulating influenza viruses prior to vaccination the low level of collective protection to influenza B virus was determined: protective antibody levels were registered only in 14-18% of the servicemen, while the corresponding data with respect of influenza viruses A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) were 45-50% and 56-63% respectively. At the same time, in seronegative persons the vaccine Vaxigrip exhibited high immunogenic activity with respect of all 3 influenza strains; seroconversion to them was determined in 84-92% of the vaccines, and the level of protective antibody titers before the beginning of the epidemic season was 86-99% in the whole of the group. The characteristics of the prophylactic effectiveness of the vaccine Vaxigrip in relation to the influenza virus infection level 1 were 4.7 (index) and 79% (coefficient). In addition, the frequency of influenza cases, clinically pronounced and confirmed by laboratory methods, in patients who had been immunized with 3 vaccines was 6.7%, which was 10.3 times less frequent than number of cases in the groups of comparison (68.2% on the average). The coefficient of epidemiological effectiveness of the prophylaxis of influenza was 90.2%. The complex use of 3 preparations did not affect the immunization properties of the vaccine Vaxigrip.

[Antineuraminidase activity of inactivated influenza vaccines in elderly people]. / Antineiraminidaznaia aktivnost' inaktivirovannykh grippoznykh vaktsin u lits pozhilogo vozrasta.

The antineuraminidase activity of 5 inactivated split and subunit influenza vaccines (IIV) was studied in individuals aged above 65 years. Postvaccinal antibody titers were determined in the lectin test. All the vaccines were shown to have a high antigenicity, by providing high titers of neuraminidase antibodies in most vaccinated persons: The mean geometric titers (MGT) to influenza viruses A(H1N1) and A(H3N2), and B were 7.4-8.0, 8.5-9.2, and 6.8-8.5 log2, respectively. Neuraminidases showed a higher activity in Vaxigrip-vaccinated persons in terms of both the rate of MGT increases and seroconversion that was 78-84%. The parameters of the anti-neuraminidase (anti-NA) and anti-hemagglutinating (anti-HA) activities of IIV are summarized in the paper. There was a high coincidence of the results of both tests. At the same time it was shown that the postvaccinal humoral immune response might be directed only to one of the surface influenza virus proteins. The highest rate of seroconversions as to the surface antigens of all three influenza viruses was observed in Vaxigrip-vaccinated persons. The paper presents the results of comparison of the levels of MGT of antibodies to both viral surface proteins for all vaccinated with IIV, for those vaccinated who were infected during an epidemic season and a place group. The findings confirmed the value of higher titers of postvaccinal antibodies against influenza infection and illness.

[Comparative evaluation of the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of inactivated influenza vaccines in the elderly]. / Sravnitel'noe izuchenie reaktogennosti i immunogennosti inaktivirovannykh grippoznykh vaktsin u lits pozhilogo vozrasta.

A comparative study was carried out to assess reactogenicity and immunogenicity of inactivated influenza vaccines (Begrivac, Vaxigrip, Grippol, Influvac, and Fluarix), licensed in Russia. Immunization of the elderly demonstrated low reactogenicity and high immunogenicity for all vaccines. Concomitant chronic diseases had no influence on the vaccine immunogenicity levels, which testifies to the benefit of vaccination in this age group. In the group of vaccinated the highest seroconversion to all vaccine strains was found for Vaxigrip (82-89% for group A viruses and 86% for group B virus); the vaccine demonstrated the highest level of diagnostic increase of antibody titers to all 3 viruses, i.e. 69.0% (p < .05), with 22.0% of vaccinees gained antibodies to 2 vaccine viruses (91.0% in total). The number of positive responses to 3 and 2 strains in subjects immunized with Fluarix, Begrivac and Influvac reached 85.0%, 85.0% and 83.0% respectively. It is noteworthy that the combination of surface antigens of A and B flu viruses in low concentration with polyoxidonium immune modulator in Grippol induced intensive immune response.