Phase III, randomized controlled trial to evaluate lot consistency of a trivalent subunit egg-based influenza vaccine in adults.

Vaccination is the most effective preventive strategy to control influenza. The demonstration of lot-to-lot consistency to confirm the reliability of the manufacturing process has become a mandatory step in vaccine development. This phase III, observer-blind, controlled trial assessed lot-to-lot consistency, immunogenicity, and safety of a subunit trivalent influenza vaccine (Agrippal®, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics) in healthy adults aged 18-49 years. The immunogenicity and safety profile of Agrippal was compared with a control vaccine (Fluvirin®, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics). A total of 1507 subjects were randomized 2:2:2:1 to receive one vaccination of one of the three lots of influenza vaccine or control vaccine. Antibody levels were measured by hemagglutination inhibition assay on days 1 and 22. Adverse reactions were solicited via diary cards for 7 days after vaccination, and unsolicited adverse events were collected throughout the study period. Equivalence of day 22 immune responses to the three lots was shown for each of the three strains. Robust immunogenic responses after one dose were observed for all vaccine groups, and both Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research criteria for licensure of influenza vaccines were met for all three virus strains. Both vaccines exhibited a robust safety profile and were well tolerated, with no differences in local and systemic solicited reactions or in unsolicited adverse events. The demonstration of consistency between manufacturing lots confirms for purposes of clinical development the reliability of the production process. The robust immunogenic responses and favorable safety profiles further support the use of trivalent subunit influenza vaccines Agrippal and Fluvirin for active immunization against influenza.

Immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of two trivalent subunit inactivated influenza vaccines: a phase III, observer-blind, randomized, controlled multicenter study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of two influenza subunit vaccines, a primarily European-marketed trivalent vaccine (Agrippal®, Novartis Vaccines), and a predominantly U.S.-marketed control trivalent vaccine (Fluvirin®, Novartis Vaccines), in subjects aged 3-64 y. The immunogenicity of both vaccines was evaluated according to the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) criteria. This clinical trial was performed between April and December 2007 in Argentina. A total of 1893 subjects were stratified into three age groups (3-8 y, 9-17 y, and 18-64 y), and randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either Agrippal or Fluvirin. Adolescents and adults received one dose of vaccine intramuscularly, whereas children aged 3-8 years received two vaccine doses, administered 4 wk apart. Antibody levels were measured by means of hemagglutination inhibition assay before vaccination (baseline); 21 d after the first vaccination (adults and adolescents); and, for children aged 3-8 y, 28 d after the first vaccination and 21 d after the second vaccine dose. Adverse reactions were solicited via diary cards for 7 d after each vaccination, and unsolicited adverse events were reported throughout the study period. Both vaccines were safe and well-tolerated, and elicited robust immunogenic responses in all age groups, meeting both CBER licensure criteria for all three viral strains after completion of the age-recommended vaccination schedule. These findings support the use of the trivalent subunit influenza vaccines Agrippal and Fluvirin for universal vaccination campaigns on an annual basis. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00464672.