Immunogenicity and Safety of Tri Fluvac, a Seasonal Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Healthy Thai Adults

This is a phase II/III, non-inferiority double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial of immunogenicity and safety with two groups of participants who will received a seasonal trivalent split, inactivated influenza vaccine (A/H1N1; A/H3N2 and B) or an active comparator (licensed influenza vaccine).

A total of about 945 healthy Thai male and female adult volunteers 18 through 49 years of age; 630 participants will be randomized to receive the GPO Tri Fluvac and 315 will receive an active comparator (a 2:1 ratio) (inclusion of ~7% lost to follow-up).

Safety will be assessed for all participants through Day 90 after vaccination. Immunogenicity will be assessed in serum samples obtained at baseline and 21 days after vaccination in a subset of at least 586 individuals randomized to study vaccine and 293 active comparator vaccine recipients.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-49 years old on the day of screening, having Thai ID card or equivalent
• Able to read and write in Thai and sign written informed consent form
• Able to attend all scheduled visits and to comply with all trial procedures.
• Healthy or medically stable, as established by medical history and physical examination. For individuals with medical conditions, symptoms/signs, if present must be stable, under control or unchanged for the past three months. If medication is used to treat the condition, the medication dose must have been stable for at least one month preceding vaccination.
• For female participants:

• Not breast feeding, non-pregnant (based on negative urine pregnancy test) and no plan to become pregnant up to Day 60.
• Women who are not surgically sterile (hysterectomy or tubal ligation) or post-menopausal for more than one year must be willing to use effective contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy until Day 60 after vaccination. Effective methods include intrauterine device, hormonal contraceptives (oral, injectable, patch, implant, ring) or double barrier contraceptives (condom or diaphragm with spermicide). Women with credible history of abstinence may be enrolled at the discretion of the investigator

Exclusion criteria

• Participation in another clinical trial involving any therapy within the previous three months or planned enrollment in such a trial during the period of this study.
• Hypersensitivity after previous administration of any vaccine.
• Having a history of H1N1, H3N2 or Flu B infection within 3 months preceding enrollment to the trial
• Vaccination against influenza in the past 6 months preceding enrollment to the trial
• Receipt of any non-study vaccine within four weeks prior to enrollment or refusal to postpone receipt of such vaccines until after the Day 21 visit.
• History of bronchial asthma, chronic lung diseases, chronic rhinitis
• History of immunodeficiency state
• History of immunosuppression < 6 months prior to immunization
• History of anaphylactic or other allergic reactions to influenza vaccine or any vaccine component or excipient (e.g. gentamicin or thimerosal)
• History of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
• Having acute infection with fever > 38 degree Celsius or noninfectious diseases (within 72 hours) preceding enrollment in the trial
• Volunteers who have been taking immunoglobulin products or have had a blood transfusion during past 3 months before the beginning of the trial or planned receipt of such products prior to the Day 21 visit.
• Current alcohol abuse or drug addiction that might interfere with the ability to comply with trial procedures
• Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would pose a health risk to the subject if enrolled, or could interfere with the evaluation of the vaccine