Split-virus influenza vaccines: do they provide adequate immunity in the elderly?
BACKGROUND
Senescence of T-cell function increases susceptibility to influenza with aging. In healthy elderly, we have found that inactivated whole-virus vaccine (WVV) effectively boosts helper T-cell (Th)-mediated immunity. Recently, however, the use of WVV has been superseded by split-virus vaccine (SVV) to questionably reduce adverse effects of vaccination.


METHODS
Healthy young adults were compared to healthy elderly adults for their response to SVV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained pre-vaccination and 6 and 12 weeks post-vaccination, were cultured with live influenza virus, and supernatant IL2 activity was measured.


RESULTS
Both groups showed an increase in in vitro IL2 activity by 6 weeks post-vaccination but IL2 decreased to pre-vaccination levels by 12 weeks. Young and elderly adults who had received WVV one year prior did not respond to SVV in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
SVV does not provide Th-mediated immunity for the duration of the flu season and may actually suppress Th-mediated immunity in previous recipients of WVV.
McElhaney
J E
JE
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
Meneilly
G S
GS
Lechelt
K E
KE
Bleackley
R C
RC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D017778:Vaccines, Combined
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D017778:Vaccines, Combined