Evaluation of Pandemic Vaccination Campaign

Evaluation of a Vaccination Campaign With A(H1N1)v Pandemic Vaccines: a Prospective Cohort Study

A cohort of 4000 community-dwelling adults is followed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Finnish national A(H1N1)v influenza vaccination campaign in preventing the first episode of laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)v influenza. The safety of vaccination and the severity of the disease are followed primarily from health care registers. In a subgroup of 200 participants, the humoral and cellular immunogenicity of the vaccine will be studied.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Full legal competence;
• Written informed consent obtained;
• Assigned to use the services of Tampere health centre and community-dwelling;
• At least 18 and no more than 75 years old, inclusive;
• Belongs to the target group of A(H1N1)v vaccination in the region during the pandemic vaccination campaign;
• Able to communicate fluently in Finnish or Swedish
• Able to adhere to all protocol required study procedures without any special burden or risk, as judged by the investigator or designate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• For the total study cohort, no specific exclusion criteria will be applied;

• For the subgroup for follow-up of immunogenicity of the vaccine (immunogenicity cohort), exclusion criteria comprise:

  • previous severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccines or known severe allergy to the ingredients of the vaccine
  • previous severe allergic reaction to eggs
  • significant immunological disorder