ADENOVIRUS VACCINES IN THE US MILITARY

Acute respiratory disease (ARD) due to adenoviruses caused significant morbidity in military training populations, Since 1971 ARD has been c ontrolled by the use of live, enteric-coated, adenovirus (ADV) types 4 and 7 vaccines, This immunization program overcame significant proble ms in vaccine development, Due to a production delay, military trainin g posts stopped ADV vaccine administration in spring 1994, The deliver y of ADV vaccine resumed in late February 1995, but another production delay is anticipated, A generation of military medical people have no t been exposed to the significant morbidity caused by adenoviruses and are unaware of the effectiveness of the ADV vaccine. ARD morbidity be fore ADV vaccines, the ADV Vaccine development program, and current is sues regarding the control of ARD due to adenoviruses in the military are discussed.