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Vaccination against 1976 virus leads to stronger immune response to H1N1
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 10, 2010
People who were immunized against influenza A(Hsw1N1) in 1976 might have some immunity against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus, according to a study posted online April 23 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
In August 2009, researchers examined 116 people age 55 and older who either worked at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., or who were married to an employee. The study was conducted before the H1N1 vaccine was available.
Among the participants, 39.7% (46 people) had received the 1976 Hsw1N1 vaccine, and 94.1% (106 people) had 2008-09 seasonal influenza vaccine.
More than 17% of those vaccinated against Hsw1N1 produced antibodies that neutralized the pandemic 2009 H1N1 strain and blocked it from infecting cells.
Researchers said it is unclear if the participants' immune response was enough to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, but findings point to a lingering benefit from the 1976 vaccine (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/05/10/prbf0510.htm.
