PARENTERAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION INDUCES A RAPID SYSTEMIC AND LOCAL IMMUNE-RESPONSE

The kinetics of the local immune response in the upper respiratory tra ct to parenterally administered inactivated split trivalent influenza vaccine were examined in 19 healthy subjects. Influenza virus-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) could be detected as early as 2 days a fter vaccination in peripheral blood and tonsils, with a peak at simil ar to 1 week after vaccination and a decline to insignificant levels a fter 6 weeks. Circulating ASC produced IgG, IgA, and IgM, whereas ASC in tonsils produced mainly IgA and IgM. Influenza virus-specific antib odies were predominantly IgG and IgM in serum and IgA in oral fluid; t hey rose after 1 week and were elevated at 6 weeks. This may indicate a secretory involvement of the anti-influenza virus response in the up per respiratory tract. Parenteral influenza vaccination induced an imm ediate and significant immune response in both the upper respiratory t ract and peripheral blood.