ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION WITH INFLUENZA VIRUS A AND B IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
With the aim of finding a method of influenza virus A and B vaccination with maximal antibody response and minimal untoward reaction, a wide range of dosage and other variations in method were tested among 614 unselected children, of which 110 were studied serologically. Systemic reactions occurred in 22.8 per cent of the children following 1 or more injections and were severe in 9.2 per cent. Reactions were not related to family or individual history of allergy, sex or bodytype structure. Reactions did occur more often and more severely in the very young when the same dosage of vaccine per kg. of body weight was given. Moreover, at different ages systemic reactions were more frequent and more severe when larger doses of vaccine per kg. of body weight were given. No differences in serologic response were found in children who had systemic reactions to the vaccine and those who had none. Serologic response was good even among those children who received the minimum amounts of vaccine per kg. of body weight. The results suggest that primary vaccination is fairly effective with a single small injection of 0.1 ml. vaccine, intradermally, or 0.2 ml. vaccine, subcutaneously. An even higher and more rapid response in antibody titer is probable when 2 small (0.1 ml.) injections of vaccine are given a week apart. There is no higher rise in blood titer of antibody when the primary vaccination is accomplished by a larger dose (0.6 ml. or 0.7 ml.) following a smaller initial dose. A booster dose, whether in a small amount (0.1 ml.) or a larger amount (1.0 ml.) and given 3 to 7 months after the primary vaccination, resulted in a similar favorable rise in titer among the groups which had been given various amounts for primary vaccination. The elevated titer in vaccinated children persisted above the preimmunization levels for 12 to 18 months.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: