Safety of Tuberculosis Vaccine, MVA85A, Administered by the Intramuscular Route and the Intradermal Route

We postulate that the intramuscular route is not inferior to the intradermal route of administration of MVA85A in BCG vaccinated adults when evaluated for safety and immunogenicity.

If MVA85A can be given safely by intramuscular route and it is at least equally immunogenic and efficacious in a prime-boost strategy, then it would probably be the preferred route in subsequent phase II and III trials. There are several reasons for this:

• Reduced pain associated with injection.
• Reduced local reaction at the injection site.
• More straightforward procedure; less technically demanding; less time consuming.
• Easier production and storage of vaccine.
• Larger volume of vaccine can be given.

Trials of MVA85A to date have established 1 x 10^8 pfu as the optimal dose for intradermal injection in adults. We therefore intend to administer this same dose intramuscularly in order to directly compare the two routes for both safety and immunogenicity. These results will guide future trials in which the intramuscular route, if safe, could be further evaluated at either higher or lower dose depending on immunogenicity at 1 x 10^8 pfu dosage.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy adult aged 18 - 55 years (both male and female)
• Resident in or near Oxford for the duration of the study period
• Confirmation of prior vaccination with BCG not less than 3 months prior to projected study vaccination date (by visible BCG scar on examination or written documentation)
• Normal medical history and physical examination
• Willingness to allow the Investigators to discuss the individual's medical history with their GP
• Willingness to use continuous effective barrier contraception for three months after receiving the vaccination (males and females)
• Willingness to use effective contraception for the duration of the study period (females only)
• Agreement to refrain from blood donation during the course of the study
• Give written informed consent
• Agreement to allow the Investigator to register volunteer details with a confidential database to prevent concurrent entry into clinical trials
• Able and willing (in the Investigator's opinion) to comply with all the study requirements

Exclusion criteria

• Clinical, radiological, or laboratory evidence of current active TB infection
• Laboratory evidence at screening of latent TB infection as indicated by a positive ELISPOT test (greater than 17 sfc/million PBMC) in any ESAT6 peptide or CFP10 peptide poola
• Previous vaccination with candidate vaccine MVA85A or another recombinant MVA vaccine
• Clinically significant history of skin disorder, allergy, immunodeficiency (including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), cancer (except basal cell carcinoma [BCC] or carcinoma in situ [CIS]), cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, renal disease, endocrine disorder, neurological illness, psychiatric disorder, drug or alcohol abuse
• History of serious psychiatric condition
• Concurrent oral or systemic steroid medication or the use of other immunosuppressive agents
• History of anaphylaxis to vaccination or any allergy likely to be exacerbated by any component of the study vaccine
• Any clinically significant abnormality of screening blood or urine tests
• Positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HIV antibodies
• Female currently lactating, confirmed pregnancy or intention to become pregnant during study period
• Use of an investigational medicinal product or non-registered drug, live vaccine, or medical device other than the study vaccine for 30 days prior to dosing with the study vaccine, or planned use during the study period
• Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the three months preceding the planned trial vaccination date
• Any other significant disease, disorder, or finding, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the volunteer at risk or may influence the result of the study or may affect the volunteer's ability to participate in the study