Poor immune responses to influenza vaccination in infants

Abstract

Twenty-two and 37 infants and young children received two doses of influenza HA vaccine before the 2001–2002 influenza season and before the 2002–2003 season, respectively. Two or three serial specimens were obtained, before and 1 month after the first vaccination as well as 1 month after the second vaccination. Infants showed a significantly poor HI antibody rise and lymphocyte response compared with young children aged ≥12 months. Time kinetics of the lymphoproliferative responses to influenza antigen among young children varied whereas their activities in infants were typically negative before immunization and increased after vaccination. Infants responded poorly to HA influenza vaccine compared with young children.