Kinetics of humoral antibody response to trivalent inactivated split influenza vaccine in subjects previously vaccinated or vaccinated for the first time.

We studied differences in immune responses after first time immunization with a trivalent inactivated split influenza vaccine, or after vaccination in the preceding year, in 42 healthy volunteers (40 +/- 13 years). Sequential serum samples were collected over 40 weeks. Previously vaccinated volunteers exhibited 40-92% protective antibody levels in their prevaccination sera.

Influenza vaccination in older patients. Immunogenicity, epidemiology and available agents.

Excess hospitalisation and deaths attributable to influenza virus infections often occur during epidemics and even in interepidemic periods. Influenza vaccines in current use are inactivated preparations that contain 15 micrograms each of the most recently circulating influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1) and B viruses. At present, 3 types of inactivated influenza virus vaccines are available: (a) whole virus vaccines; (b) split virus vaccines; and (c) subunit vaccines.

Comparison of humoral immune responses to trivalent influenza split vaccine in young, middle-aged and elderly people.

A total of 296 volunteers in five different groups were immunized with one dose of the commercial 1991-1992 trivalent split influenza vaccine formulation A/Singapore/6/86 (H1N1), A/Beijing/353/89 (H3N2) and B/Yamagata/16/88. The groups differed in age (young adults, middle-aged and elderly) and history of previous vaccination. Antibodies were determined in pre- and postvaccination sera by haemagglutination inhibition assay and the results were evaluated as geometric mean titre, mean fold antibody increase, protection and response rates.

Rapid, easy and economical dot EIA for detection of antibodies to HIV-1 using recombinant env- and gag-proteins.

A rapid and simple screening test for antibodies to HIV-1 was designed on the principle of dot-EIA. Recombinant HIV-1 env and gag polypeptides are fixed on nitrocellulose sheets. Peroxidase conjugated protein A is used for detection of bound antibodies.

[The expanded WHO vaccination program and the vaccination strategy in East Germany].

Evaluating the current stage and future trends of WHO's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), conclusions for national immunization strategies have been considered. The global eradication of poliomyelitis is an important target. In 1988, an Immunization Advisory Group of the Ministry of Health has been founded.