Small-scale trial of live-attenuated influenza vaccine (A/Hong Kong/68)

Seventy-one men who were given live-attenuated A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) influenza vaccine during November 1973, and 34 men given placebo were examined for changes in antibody level. Overall, 12 of the 71 men (17%) given the vaccine showed a fourfold rise in haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody titre after 14 days. No such rises were seen in the 34 men given placebo. However, 10 of the men showing a fourfold rise were from 19 who had no detectable HI antibody to this virus before vaccination, representing a conversion rate of 53%. The other two had a HI titre of 1/10 before vaccination. The absence of antibody response, at 14 days, in those with an HI titre of 1/20 or greater may indicated that this represents a protective level against infection. However, the vaccine virus was probably overattenuated and may have constituted a weaker challenge than might occur with a wild strain. No influenza virus was isolated from either group in the week after vaccination and no evidence of transmission to the placebo group was seen. Mild symptoms, chills, muscle pain, and stiffness were more frequently seen in the 12 persons showing a fourfold rise in antibody than in the rest of the volunteers.