[Improved methods of controlling the purity and activity of inactivated influenza vaccines]

Rooster monospecific sera to influenza virus hemagglutinin free from antibodies to the host (chick embryo) admixture components were prepared and satisfactorily used in radial immunodiffusion test for control of the levels of hemagglutinin in influenza vaccines. The indirect hemagglutination test with erythrocytic antibody diagnosticum has been proposed for the detection of low ovalbumin concentrations. The sensitivity of this method is less than 0.003 micrograms/ml ovalbumin which significantly surpasses other currently accepted methods for control of this component in inactivated influenza vaccines. Immunochemical methods established the presence in influenza vaccines of other "nonovalbumin" multicomponent admixtures. Their sensitizing activity was characterized and found to be 4-5 times weaker than that of ovalbumin.