A CLINICAL TRIAL OF INFLUENZA VACCINE IN CANBERRA

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Abstract
A trial to assess the acceptability and efficiency of a subunit influenza virus vaccine produced by the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories to combat the A2 Hong Kong/68 influenza infection was conducted in Canberra during the winter of 1969. The trial was conducted on 1,983 volunteers from Government employees and included both males and females. Approximately half the volunteers were injected with a vaccine containing influenza B virus strain, whilst the remainder received a vaccine containing both B and A2 Hong Kong/68 virus. From serological tests and review of sick‐leave records, the polyvalent vaccine appeared to be effective in producing a satisfactory antibody response in most cases and a significant reduction in absenteeism in the protected group during the winter months when the A2 Hong Kong/68 virus was present in the community. The vaccine, which produced few untoward reactions, was readily acceptable to the persons taking part in the trial.