Mass Enteric Live Adenovirus Vaccination During Epidemic ARD

Abstract

During an epidemic of acute adenovirus respiratory disease (ARD) in a naval recruit population, mass immunization with an enteric live adenovirus type 4 vaccine resulted in an early dramatic reduction in illness. The decrease of disease in immunized men occurred before a detectable increase in serum antibody developed and a concurrent benefit was observed in the nonimmunized controls. This result is attributed to a blocking or ecological effect of the live vaccine virus. Greater protection was afforded when all men were immunized than when only half were immunized. Administration of the vaccine to new recruits was associated with continued suppression of ARD. When vaccination was discontinued after 16 weeks, the disease rate continued at lower than the usual endemic incidence. No reduction was seen in the incidence of nonbacterial pneumonia.