[Live attenuated and inactivated influenza vaccines: data from direct comparative studies]

Comparative evaluation of live attenuated and inactivated influenza vaccines based on data from direct comparative studies is necessary for ensuring the most effective and safe vaccination against influenza. Analysis of direct comparative preclinical and clinical studies of inactivated and live cold-adapted (ca) influenza vaccines showed that published data are inconsistent and limited for some population groups. Live ca vaccines may be promising as an alternative or addition to inactivated vaccines especially for mass vaccination against influenza in children as well as in the elderly when combined with inactivated vaccines. Further studies of inactivated and live ca influenza vaccines in direct comparative studies that control the administration route and vaccine strain production as well as development and confirmation of objective criteria of live attenuated influenza vaccine effectiveness evaluation are necessary.