WEDNESDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Vero-cell-culture-derived influenza vaccine offers protection from influenza viruses antigenically matched to the vaccine strains, according to a study published online Feb. 16 in The Lancet.
P. Noel Barrett, Ph.D., from Baxter Bioscience in Orth/Donau, Austria, and colleagues examined the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of Vero-cell-culture-derived influenza vaccine. A total of 7,236 healthy adults were randomly assigned to receive an injection of placebo or the Vero influenza vaccine in a double-blind, phase-3 trial carried out in 36 U.S. centers during the 2008 to 2009 season. The primary measure was efficacy of the vaccine to prevent cell-culture-confirmed influenza infection with viruses that match antigenically to one of the vaccine strains.
The investigators found that, in the primary outcome analysis, the protective efficacy for antigenically matched influenza infection was 78.5 percent. Adverse effects were mild and transient, and no serious treatment-related adverse effects were identified. A reliable correlate of cell-culture-derived influenza vaccine-induced protection was seen at a hemagglutination-inhibition titer of at least 1:15. No additional benefit was found with titers higher than 1:30.
"The data presented here show that a novel, inactivated Vero-cell-derived influenza vaccine, which is safe, immunogenic, and efficacious, will be a valuable addition to the currently licensed vaccines for the prevention of seasonal influenza," the authors write.
Several of the study authors disclosed financial relationships with Baxter and DynPort Vaccine Company. Two of the study authors hold patents on influenza vaccines derived from Vero-cell cultures.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
