Session:

Update on Influenza

Abstract No.:

24.004

Title:

Seasonal, pandemic, and inter-pandemic vaccines

Author(s):

L. Jennings; Canterbury Health Laboratories & University of Otago, Christchurch/NZ

Abstract:

Influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses.  Recent avian influenza and pandemic influenza events have highlighted major gaps in our knowledge base and ability to produce safe and effective vaccines timely,in response to these events. The seasonal influenza vaccines currently in use are predominantly egg-derived inactivated vaccines, which have consistently been shown to reduce the risk of acquiring influenza and reduce the risk of hospitalisation and of death. However their protection is antibody-mediated, strain-specific and is dependent on the closeness of the match between the vaccine strain and the circulating virus, so that developing vaccines with broader and longer lasting protection is a high priority. Heightened concerns following the 2004 avian influenza epizootic and the increased focus on pandemic preparedness planning have led to the development of monovalent H5N1 vaccines, along with an improvement in our knowledge surrounding pre-pandemic vaccines; the need for cross-protection, the role of adjuvanted vaccines and cell culture derived vaccines. Our response to the H1N1pdm09 pandemic has highlighted novel vaccine development, production and global supply issues. Increased capacity and new technologies are needed to produce vaccines against a novel influenza virus in sufficient quantities to protect populations during an emerging pandemic, not just the second wave. However, in the inter-pandemic period we must address the lessons learnt and remember that seasonal influenza provides an ongoing threat. An understanding of a countries annual burden of disease from influenza is the key driver for the establishment of influenza vaccination guidelines and vaccine uptake, while a clinician’s advice is pivotal for an individual to receive influenza vaccine.  A better understanding of both B cell and T cell immunity will lead to vaccines with improved efficacy and which provide heterosubtypic immunity, with both a universal vaccine and universal influenza vaccination as the goals.