This prospective, randomized, open-label clinical study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity and underlying immune mechanisms of different influenza vaccine formulations in adults aged ≥65 years. Additionally, the study investigates the role of the gut microbiome in modulating vaccine-induced immune responses and durability.
Despite high influenza vaccination coverage among older adults in Korea, vaccine effectiveness remains suboptimal, even during well-matched seasons. Immunosenescence and microbiome dysbiosis are believed to contribute to reduced vaccine responsiveness. This study will: * Compare immune responses induced by standard-dose, MF59-adjuvanted, and high-dose influenza vaccines * Characterize cellular and humoral immune mechanisms * Analyze gut microbiome composition and function using metagenomic approaches * Identify microbiome-derived biomarkers associated with vaccine responsiveness and durability
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
121
0.5 mL intramuscular injection, single dose
0.5 mL intramuscular injection, single dose
0.7 mL intramuscular injection, single dose
Korea University Guro Hospital
Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Seroconversion Rate
≥4-fold increase in hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers
Time frame: 4 weeks post-vaccination
Geometric Mean Titers
Geometric Mean Titers (GMTs) of HI antibodies
Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, Week 4, Month 6
Cellular Immune Responses
ELISpot (IFN-γ), activated T-cell frequency (CD38, HLA-DR)
Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, Week 4
B Cell Responses
HA-specific B cell frequencies (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B strains)
Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, Week 4
Microbiome Diversity and Composition
Alpha diversity (Shannon index) Beta diversity (PERMANOVA)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Microbiome Biomarker Identification
Taxonomic and functional markers using LEfSe analysis
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4
Durability of Immune Response
Antibody decay rate (half-life analysis)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Month 6
Safety Outcomes
Solicited adverse events (within 7 days) Unsolicited adverse events (within 30 days)
Time frame: Day 7, Day 30
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