Safety and Immunogenicity of a Cell Derived Subunit Trivalent Nonadjuvated Influenza Study Vaccine in Adults Aged 18 Years and Above

A Phase 3 Open Label, Uncontrolled, Multi Center Study to Evaluate Safety and Immunogenicity of a Surface Antigen, Inactivated, Influenza Vaccine Produced in Mammalian Cell Culture (Optaflu®), Formulation 2012/2013, When Administered to Adult and Elderly Subjects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of a single intramuscular (IM) injection of the cell derived subunit trivalent nonadjuvanted influenza vaccine in adult and elderly subjects and the antibody response to each influenza vaccine antigen, as measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) at approximately 21 days postimmunization in adult and elderly subjects in compliance with the requirements of the current EU recommendations for clinical trials related to yearly licensing of influenza vaccines.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male and female volunteers of 18 years of age or older;
2. Individuals able to comply with all the study requirements;
3. Individuals in good health as determined by the outcome of medical history, physical examination and clinical judgment of the investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals with behavioral or cognitive impairment or psychiatric disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the subject's ability to participate in the study.

2. Individuals with any serious chronic or acute disease (in the judgment of the investigator), including but not limited to:

   • Medically significant cancer (except for benign or localized skin cancer, cancer in remission for ≥10 years or localized prostate cancer that has been clinically stable for more than 2 years without treatment);
   • Medically significant advanced congestive heart failure (ie. NYHA class III and IV);
   • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; i.e., GOLD Stage III and IV);
   • Autoimmune disease (including rheumatoid arthritis, except for Hashimoto's thyroiditis that has been clinically stable for ≥5 years);
   • Diabetes mellitus type I;
   • Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus type II;
   • Advanced arteriosclerotic disease;
   • History of underlying medical condition such as major congenital abnormalities requiring surgery, chronic treatment, or associated with developmental delay (e.g., Down's syndrome);
   • Acute or progressive hepatic disease;
   • Acute or progressive renal disease;
   • Severe neurological (es. Guillain-Barré syndrome) or psychiatric disorder;
   • Severe asthma.

3. Individuals with history of any anaphylactic reaction and/or serious allergic reaction following a vaccination, a proven hypersensitivity to any component of the study vaccine (e.g.Influenza viral protein).

4. Individuals with known or suspected (or have a high risk of developing) impairment/alteration of immune function (excluding that normally associated with advanced age) resulting, for example, from:

   • receipt of immunosuppressive therapy (any parenteral or oral corticosteroid or cancer chemotherapy/radiotherapy) within the past 60 days and for the full length of the study;
   • receipt of immunostimulants;
   • receipt of parenteral immunoglobulin preparation, blood products and/or plasma derivatives within the past 3 months and for the full length of the study;
   • suspected or known HIV infection or HIV-related disease.

5. Individuals with known or suspected history of drug or alcohol abuse.

6. Individuals with a bleeding diathesis or conditions associated with prolonged bleeding time that in the investigator's opinion would interfere with the safety of the subject.

7. Individuals who are not able to comprehend and to follow all required study procedures for the whole period of the study.

8. Individuals with history or any illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, pose additional risk to the subjects due to participation in the study.

9. Individuals who within the past 6 months have:

   • had any laboratory confirmed seasonal or pandemic influenza disease;
   • received any seasonal or pandemic influenza vaccine.

10. Individuals who received any other vaccine within 4 weeks prior to enrollment in this study or who are planning to receive any vaccine during the study.

11. Individuals with any acute or chronic infections requiring systemic antibiotic treatment or antiviral therapy within the last 7 days.

12. Individuals that have experienced fever (i.e., axillary temperature ≥38°C) within the last 3 days of intended study vaccination.

13. Individuals participating in any clinical trial with another investigational product 4 weeks prior to first study visit or intent to participate in another clinical study at any time during the conduct of this study.

14. Individuals who are part of study personnel or close family members conducting this study.

15. BMI >35 kg/m2.

16. Females who are pregnant (confirmed by positive urine pregnancy test) or nursing (breastfeeding). Females of childbearing potential who refuse to use an acceptable method of birth control for the whole duration of the study.