Effects of Adenovirus Vaccine on Acute Respiratory Disease in U.S. Army Recruits

During the developmental period of the adenovirus vaccine, field trials of bivalent Types 4 and 7 vaccine conducted by the Army Medical Service in 1956 and 1957 resulted in 90% to 98% reduction in hospitalization due to adenovirus disease in recruits. During the respiratory disease season of 1960-1961, a standardized, commercially prepared, Types 4 and 7 vaccine was used at all recruit training stations. Preliminary results indicate that this vaccine was about 50% effective in reducing hospitalization resulting from adenovirus disease. It is evident from the earlier experience that, even though the commercial vaccine now being used is estimated to have saved the Army about $5,000,000 during the last respiratory disease season, there is an urgent requirement to make available adenovirus vaccine of greater antigenicity.