THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF VACCINATION AGAINST EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA B

Abstract

<h3>DISTRIBUTION OF INFLUENZA B IN 1945</h3> The epidemiologic pattern of influenza B has not been well established. In some years in certain areas it has presented the picture of a sharp short epidemic similar to that usually seen with influenza. A. This was the case in 1936 and 1940, the first epidemics identified as influenza B.¹Since 1940, however, several investigators have called attention to the fact that the disease may occur in a scattered manner during the respiratory disease season, independent of or interspersed with influenza A.²In the past three years members of the Commission on Influenza of the Army Epidemiological Board have maintained a continuous alert for the detection of outbreaks of respiratory disease and their identification.³This has consisted in serologic sampling of common respiratory infection in different service commands and prompt exploration of any increased prevalences. The activities of the commission have