A Modern System for Comprehensive Prevention of Influenza in the USSR

Since 1980, from 30 to 50% of the population in a number of Soviet cities have been immunized annually with inactivated or live vaccines. Antiviral chemoprophylactic drugs (rimantadine and Oxolyn) and immunological preparations based on human blood (leukocytic interferon and anti-influenza immunoglobulin), have been used as emergency preventive measures during influenza epidemics. In test observations the effectiveness coefficient ranged from 24.0 to 30.7% for inactivated vaccines, from 7.6 to 32.4% for live vaccines, and from 0 to 77% for rimantadine. A system of influenza control measures has resulted in an 11.4 to 19.2% decline in morbidity against the expected percentage, or in at least 50,000 fewer cases per 1 million population.