Abstract

Adju-fluax (MSD) is a new type of killed influenza vaccine for injection. Like all influenza vaccines, it is maximally effective only as long as the virus from which it was prepared is antigenically similar to that circulating in the population. Because the current influenza viruses, both A and B, are undergoing antigenic change, it is difficult to predict what kind of virus will be important next winter. Assuming the new strain is related antigenically to the vaccine strain, Adju-fluax has an important advantage over other vaccines because it contains an adjuvant - a substance which markedly potentiates antibody formation. Adjuvants increase both the degree of protection and its duration.^{1 2}