A cell culture (Vero)-derived H5N1 whole-virus vaccine induces cross-reactive memory responses

Novel strategies are required to provide rapid vaccine coverage in the event of an influenza pandemic. A phase I/II dose finding/formulation study was performed with a whole-virus H5N1 clade 1 A/Vietnam vaccine (2-dose priming regimen) to evaluate safety and immunogenicity. Seventy-seven of 141 subjects in this study received a booster (12-17 months after priming) with a 7.5-microg dose of a clade 2.1 A/Indonesia vaccine. The prime-boost regimen resulted in antibody responses against clade 1, 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 viruses that were significantly higher than those after the priming regimen. These findings demonstrate that a prime-boost regimen may alleviate vaccine supply constraints in a pandemic.