U.S. Department of Defense

 

Date of this Version

2009

Citation

Vaccine 27 (2009) 3568–3575; doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.03.088

Abstract

Limited effectiveness data are available comparing live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) to inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) among adults. To compare the incidence of influenza-like illness following immunization of adults with LAIV vs. TIV, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of active component U.S. military personnel for the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 influenza seasons. Recruits experienced a much higher burden of disease compared to non-recruits, with crude incidence rates of influenza-like illness 2–16 times higher than non-recruits depending on the season and cohort. For both seasons, a slightly greater protection from influenza-like illness was found for non-recruits who received TIV compared to LAIV (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.17 (95% CI, 1.14–1.20) and 1.33 (95% CI, 1.30–1.36), 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 influenza seasons, respectively). However, for Army and Air Force recruits, LAIV was found to provide significantly greater protection from influenza-like illnesses compared to TIV, with adjusted incidence rates of influenza-like illness 22–51% and 18–47% lower among LAIV compared to TIV recipients for the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 influenza seasons, respectively. Possible reasons for differences in recruit and non-recruit findings include differences in pre-existing influenza antibody levels, differing respiratory disease burden, and/or unmeasured confounding. Consideration of these findings should be made when developing influenza immunization policies.

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