Table 2

Incidence of local and systemic reactions reported for the two vaccine groups



Sub/MF59™ %(n)
Subunit %(n)

Local reaction
Rash
0.0(0)
0.5(1)

Erythema
1.5(6)
1.5(3)

Induration
0.5(2)
2.5(5)*

Swelling
2.8(11)
1.0(2)

Pain
10.2(40)**
3.0(6)

Pruritus
1.3(5)
3.0(6)
Systemic reaction
Headache
3.6(14)
2.5(5)

Fever
15.9(62)**
7.6(15)

Tiredness
3.3(13)
1.0(2)

Diarrhoea
0.8(3)
2.0(4)

Vomiting
1.0(4)
1.0(2)

Myalgia
1.8(7)
0.5(1)

Cough
2.0(8)
2.0(4)

Angina
1.5(6)
1.0(2)

Watery nasal discharge
1.0(4)
1.0(2)

Skin disease (e.g. eczema)
0.0(0)
1.0(2)

Irritability
0.0(0)
0.5(1)

*P < 0.05 versus the Sub/MF59™ vaccine group; **P ≤ 0.005 versus the Subunit vaccine group

Sub/MF59™, MF59™-adjuvanted subunit influenza vaccine; Subunit, non-adjuvanted subunit influenza vaccine

Li et al. Immunity & Ageing 2008 5:2   doi:10.1186/1742-4933-5-2