Immunogenicity and Safety Study to Assess Influenza Vaccine Formulated With Haemagglutinin (HA) Antigen From Two Suppliers

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the humoral immunogenicity and safety of the parenteral formulation of the 2010/2011-season influenza vaccine, Inflexal V, using HA antigen obtained from 2 different production facilities, and to compare the immunogenicity of both formulations to pre-defined EMA criteria for the annual relicensing of seasonal influenza vaccines. The evaluation will be done in young adults and elderly.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy female and male adults
• Aged ≥18 years on Day 1
• Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Acute exacerbation of bronchopulmonary infection (cough, sputum, lung findings) or other acute disease
• Acute febrile illness (≥38.0 °C)
• Prior vaccination with an influenza vaccine (including the H1N1 pandemic swine flu vaccine) in the past 330 days
• Known hypersensitivity to any vaccine component
• Previous history of a serious adverse reaction to influenza vaccine
• History of egg protein allergy or severe atopy
• Known blood coagulation disorder
• Chronic (longer than 14 days) administration of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs within 6 months before the first dose of the study vaccine, incl. oral corticosteroids in dosages of ≥0.5 mg/kg/d prednisolone or equivalent (inhaled or topical steroids are allowed)
• Known immunodeficiency (incl. leukemia, cancer, HIV seropositivity)
• Investigational medicinal product received in the past 3 months (90 days)
• Treatment with immunoglobulins or blood transfusion(s) received in the past 3 months (90 days)
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Participation in another clinical trial
• Employee at the investigational site, or spouse and children of the investigator, or relative living in the same household as the investigator and/or are dependent on the investigator
• Suspected non-compliance