Abstract
Summary
1. Intradermal inoculation into 39 adults of 0.02 ml of concentrated Influenza A and B vaccine gave rise to a mean antibody response (antihemagglutinin) against Influenza B virus which approached that obtained by others following the subcutaneous injection of 1.0 ml of undiluted vaccine. A greater mean increase in antibody against Influenza A was observed in the same group, although this increase could not be attributed conclusively to the effect of the vaccine.
2. The intradermal injection of 0.02 ml of concentrated vaccine into 449 adults was followed within 20 minutes by a local erythematous reaction exceeding 10 mm in diameter in 37'3 or 83.1%. In 383 or 85.3% of the same group delayed local erythematous reactions exceeding 10 mm in diameter were present after approximately 48 hours accompanied in many cases by slight induration.
3. No correlation could be established between the intensity of the immediate or delayed dermal reaction and the level of antihemagglutinin in the blood.
4. Mild systemic reactions were reported by 75 (16.7%) of 449 vaccinated persons.
5. Although cases of Influenza A infection were demonstrated in the community shortly after vaccination, the rate of all upper respiratory disease during the succeeding 2-month period in a group of 316 vaccinated, persons was not significantly different from, the rate among 329 unvaccinated persons; working in the same institution.
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