Adjuvant-Sparing Multi-Dose Influenza Vaccination Regimen

Abstract

An influenza vaccine is administered by a multi-dose regimen, in which (i) a first dose is administered with an adjuvant and (ii) a later dose is administered either without an adjuvant or with a different adjuvant. Thus the invention provides the benefits of a two-dose regimen without also doubling the supply need for a given adjuvant.

1 . A method for immunizing a patient against influenza virus infection, comprising the steps of:
 (i) administering a dose of influenza virus vaccine in combination with a first adjuvant; and   (ii) administering a further dose of influenza virus vaccine without that adjuvant.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the further dose is administered by the same route as the first dose. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the further dose is unadjuvanted. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the further dose is adjuvanted with an adjuvant that is different from the first adjuvant. 
   
   
       5 . A kit comprising:
 (i) a first influenza virus vaccine in combination with a first adjuvant; and   (ii) a second influenza virus vaccine without that adjuvant.   
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A method for completing the immunization of a patient against influenza virus infection, wherein the patient has previously received a dose of influenza vims vaccine in combination with a first adjuvant, and wherein the method comprises the step of administering to that patient a further dose of influenza virus vaccine without that adjuvant. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the further dose is administered by the same route as the previous dose. 
   
   
       9 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vaccines include hemagglutinin at less than 15 μg per strain per vaccine. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the influenza virus vaccines include an influenza virus antigen from a H1, H2, H3, H5, H7 or H9 influenza A vims subtype. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first adjuvant comprises an oil-in-water emulsion. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the vaccines include hemagglutinin at less than 15 μg per strain per vaccine. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the influenza virus vaccines include an influenza virus antigen from a H1, H2, H3, H5, H7 or H9 influenza A vims subtype. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first adjuvant comprises an oil-in-water emulsion. 
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the vaccines include hemagglutinin at less than 15 μg per strain per vaccine. 
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the influenza virus vaccines include an influenza virus antigen from a H1, H2, H3, H5, H7 or H9 influenza A vims subtype. 
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the first adjuvant comprises an oil-in-water emulsion.