Abstract
Influenza vaccine has been routinely recommended for immunosuppressed children. But the spectrum of illness and vaccine efficacy need better definition in this group. A 4 year prospective study included 65 patients (average age 8yr; range 9 mo-19yr) with malignancies (32 on chemotherapy, 18 off) or hematologic disorders (12). 45 received in ′76 A/Victoria/75-A/New Jersey/76 vaccine; 25 in ′78 split dose A/Russian-A/Texas-B/Hong Kong. Sera were collected in ′76, ′78, ′80. All were followed regularly. Immunization with previously circulating strain (A/Vic vs A/NJ) and no chemotherapy correlated with titers ≥20 as well as with titers ≥20 at 4 year follow-up. A/Russ and B/HK immunization gave similar results. Influenza naturally occurred in 20. 16 acquired B/HK in ′80; 5 had had B/HK vaccine in ′78 with no response. All 16 developed titers ≥20, though 6 were immunosuppressed. None was seriously ill. In summary, vaccine response and duration were related to disease, chemotherapy and antigen. Natural infection could immunize suppressed patients where vaccine had failed. Despite varying levels of antibodies and suppression, no serious natural influenza illness was seen over 4 years in these 65 patients.
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Macdonald, N., Hall, C., Klemperer, M. et al. 480 INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION AND INFECTION IN IMMUNOSUPPRESED CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 520 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00493
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00493