Experience with influenza vaccination in Iceland, 1957

An epidemic of Asian influenza which occurred in Iceland in October and November 1957 is briefly described. About 8000 persons were vaccinated with two injections of a vaccine containing 100 CCA units of Asian virus per dose. The inactivated virus was adsorbed on aluminium phosphate. Data are given on the antibody production after vaccination.The results of a survey indicate that vaccination with this type of vaccine, when performed early enough, reduced the incidence of influenza by some 67%. Moreover, the cases which did occur in vaccinated persons seemed to be of less than average severity.