Potential Antigenic Mismatch of the H3N2 Component of the 2019 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine

Clin Infect Dis. 2020 May 23;70(11):2432-2434. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciz723.

Abstract

Here, we find that the egg-adapted H3N2 component of the 2019 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine elicits an antibody response in ferrets that is highly focused on antigenic site A of hemagglutinin. This is potentially problematic as most H3N2 viruses currently circulating in the Southern Hemisphere possess antigenic site A substitutions.

Keywords: H3N2; hemagglutinin; influenza vaccine; influenza virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Ferrets
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / genetics
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza Vaccines*
  • Influenza, Human* / prevention & control

Substances

  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • Influenza Vaccines