Safety and immunogenicity of a respiratory syncytial virus subunit vaccine (PFP 2) in ambulatory adults over age 60

The safety and immunogenicity of purified fusion protein (PFP-2) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine was evaluated in a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 64 healthy adults over age 60. Vaccination was well tolerated with no significant acute side-effects. Twenty-nine of 33 vaccinees (87%) showed a greater than or equal to fourfold rise in serum IgG to the F protein of RSV at 8 weeks post vaccination. Twenty of 33 vaccine recipients (61%) had a greater than or equal to fourfold rise in serum neutralizing titer to group A and/or group B RSV. Response to vaccination was inversely correlated with pre-immunization serum neutralizing titers. Active surveillance throughout the ensuing winter identified three RSV infections in the placebo group and none in the vaccine group. Thus, PFP-2 was found to be safe and immunogenic in healthy older adults. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.