Immunogenicity of High-Dose Versus MF59-Adjuvanted Versus Standard Influenza Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: The Swiss/Spanish Trial in Solid Organ Transplantation on Prevention of Influenza (STOP-FLU Trial)

Clin Infect Dis. 2024 Jan 25;78(1):48-56. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad477.

Abstract

Background: The immunogenicity of the standard influenza vaccine is reduced in solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients, so new vaccination strategies are needed in this population.

Methods: Adult SOT recipients from 9 transplant clinics in Switzerland and Spain were enrolled if they were >3 months after transplantation. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to a MF59-adjuvanted or a high-dose vaccine (intervention), or a standard vaccine (control), with stratification by organ and time from transplant. The primary outcome was vaccine response rate, defined as a ≥4-fold increase of hemagglutination-inhibition titers to at least 1 vaccine strain at 28 days postvaccination. Secondary outcomes included polymerase chain reaction-confirmed influenza and vaccine reactogenicity.

Results: A total of 619 patients were randomized, 616 received the assigned vaccines, and 598 had serum available for analysis of the primary endpoint (standard, n = 198; MF59-adjuvanted, n = 205; high-dose, n = 195 patients). Vaccine response rates were 42% (84/198) in the standard vaccine group, 60% (122/205) in the MF59-adjuvanted vaccine group, and 66% (129/195) in the high-dose vaccine group (difference in intervention vaccines vs standard vaccine, 0.20; 97.5% confidence interval [CI], .12-1); P < .001; difference in high-dose vs standard vaccine, 0.24 [95% CI, .16-1]; P < .001; difference in MF59-adjuvanted vs standard vaccine, 0.17 [97.5% CI, .08-1]; P < .001). Influenza occurred in 6% of the standard, 5% in the MF59-adjuvanted, and 7% in the high-dose vaccine groups. Vaccine-related adverse events occurred more frequently in the intervention vaccine groups, but most of the events were mild.

Conclusions: In SOT recipients, use of an MF59-adjuvanted or a high-dose influenza vaccine was safe and resulted in a higher vaccine response rate.

Clinical trials registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03699839.

Keywords: immunocompromised; influenza; transplantation; vaccination.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype*
  • Influenza Vaccines*
  • Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
  • Organ Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Polysorbates / adverse effects
  • Squalene / adverse effects
  • Switzerland

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines
  • MF59 oil emulsion
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Polysorbates
  • Squalene
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03699839