Abstract
Although killed influenza vaccine given by injection is protective, able to reduce sickness absence in industry and to control influenza in the armed forces, it has not so far been possible to demonstrate more than a small effect on the disease in otherwise healthy adults in industry and offices in the United Kingdom. The reasons are probably the poor rate of acceptance of vaccine, the relatively low incidence of clinical influenza in most years, and the incomplete protection given by the vaccine. Until major epidemics can be accurately forecast it is suggested that influenza vaccination may most usefully be used on a selective basis, namely for protecting those with illness predisposing to a severe effect from influenza; persons in institutions such as schools and homes for the elderly; key workers in the general population; and persons over the age of 65 years among whom considerable mortality occurs in winters when influenza is prevalent.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Hoskins T. W., Davies J. R., Allchin A., Miller C. L., Pollock T. M. Controlled trial of inactivated influenza vaccine containing the a-Hong Kong strain during an outbreak of influenza due to the a-England-42-72 strain. Lancet. 1973 Jul 21;2(7821):116–120. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)93062-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mostow S. R., Schoenbaum S. C., Dowdle W. R., Coleman M. T., Kaye H. S. Studies with inactivated influenza vaccines purified by zonal centrifugation. 1. Adverse reactions and serological responses. Bull World Health Organ. 1969;41(3):525–530. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Smith J. W., Pollard R., Fletcher W. B., Barker R., Lewis J. R. Influenza vaccination--acceptance in an industrial population. Br J Ind Med. 1974 Oct;31(4):292–297. doi: 10.1136/oem.31.4.292. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Smith J. W. Vaccination in the control of influenza. Interim report to the Director of the Public Health Laboratory Service on a Collaborative Study with the Post Office. Lancet. 1974 Aug 10;2(7876):330–333. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)91704-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stiver H. G., Graves P., Eickhoff T. C., Meiklejohn G. Efficacy of "Hong Kong" vaccine in preventing "England" variant influenza A in 1972. N Engl J Med. 1973 Dec 13;289(24):1267–1271. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197312132892402. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]