Neuraminidase antibodies in serum and nasal washings after immunization by means of live and killed whole virion, split virion and subunit (HA and N) influenza vaccines.

Anti-neuraminidase antibody (ANAB) formation was determined in serum and nasal washing fluids pre- and post-vaccination in 278 adult healthy volunteers vaccinated with different types of current experimental and conventional influenza vaccines. The best systemic ANAB formation expressed as conversion rate (CR) was observed with the subunit vaccine "Sandovac" (CR = 90%) followed by the split virion vaccine "Begrivac S" (CR = 66%), the whole virion vaccine "Alorbat" (CR = 65%) and the live attenuated vaccine "Alice" (CR = 58%). The best local ANAB formation was obtained with live attenuated vaccines (CR = 47-50%) followed by "Begrivac S" (CR = 34%) and "Alorbat" (CR = 17%). The subunit vaccine, unfortunately, could not be tested for ANAB formation. On the basis of this data the optimal method of immunization against influenza would consist of simultaneous topical and parenteral application of live attenuated and inactivated subunit or split vaccine.