Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory InvestigationsUniversity of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
History
Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
University of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
Influenza; Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919
The best controlled vaccine experiment in which Leary’s vaccine was used
was that reported by Hinton and Kane (10), and was carried out at the
Monson State Hospital for epileptics. The hospital had a population of
979 inmates, ranging from 4 years of age to senility; of these 461 were
vaccinated and 518 were not. Vaccination was begun on October 6, and
three doses of 400, 800 and 1,200 million were given at 24–hour
intervals. The first case of influenza developed a few hours after
vaccination was completed, but there were no more cases before October
12, when five cases developed. The table shows the result of the work,
and that the vaccine failed to protect.
Population. No. of % of No. of % of
Cases. Cases. Deaths. Deaths.
Vaccinated 461 163 35.4% 28 17.1%
Unvaccinated 518 178 32.4% 24 13.4%
Attempts to protect by the use of Leary’s influenza vaccine were made in
11 other Massachusetts institutions, but the results cannot be used to
compare the incidence and mortality rates between the vaccinated and
unvaccinated, because the epidemic was either on the wane, or at least
well advanced when the vaccinations were begun. The reports are of great
interest in showing the large number of vaccinations which failed to
protect.
In the Taunton State Hospital about 800 were vaccinated, and among them
there were 81 cases of influenza and 17 deaths from pneumonia, even
though the epidemic was on the wane when vaccinations were begun.
In the Gardner State Colony 834 were vaccinated after the peak of the
epidemic had passed. This number included all but 15 of the inmates who
had not contracted influenza up to that time. Out of this group, 62
vaccinated individuals developed the disease.
At the Massachusetts School for Feeble-Minded 457 inmates were selected
for vaccination and controls. Of the 234 vaccinated, 56 developed
influenza. Of the 223 unvaccinated, 185 developed influenza, with 16
pneumonias and 12 deaths. The vaccinated group, however, were a more
vigorous group of individuals to begin with, and represented a higher
mental grade than the unvaccinated group, so that the evidence was
considered of questionable value.
At the Wrentham State School the influenza epidemic was well under way
before vaccinations were begun, and hence the susceptible individuals
were in a large part either affected or infected with the disease. Of
1,198 unvaccinated persons, 758 developed influenza, giving a morbidity
rate of 63 per cent. Of 128 vaccinated, 13 developed influenza and 1
died. Physicians in this institution believe that the vaccinated were
not as ill as the unvaccinated patients.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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