Local SIgA response following administration of a novel intranasal inactivated influenza virus vaccine in community residing elderly

Community-residing elderly were immunized twice intranasally three weeks apart with a new inactivated whole influenza vaccine. A control group was immunized intramuscularly with conventional influenza vaccine. Local antibody response was detected in about 50% of intranasally immunized subjects compared to about 20% of intramuscularly immunized subjects, to the three viral strains. Increasing the incidence of elevated IgA response may prevent influenza at its early stages thus reducing complications in the elderly. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.