Safety and immunogenicity of recombinants based on the genetically-engineered vaccinia strain, NYVAC

NYVAC-based recombinants expressing pertinent immunogens from equine influenza virus (EIV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were used to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of this vector. Administration of either NYVAC recombinants or parenteral virus to mice, horses and swine was well tolerated with no notable local or systemic reactivities. Further, despite a highly attenuated phenotype, NYVAC was found to function effectively as an immunization vehicle capable of eliciting both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.