Safety of Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Compared to Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Adults: An Observational Study

Background Recombinant trivalent influenza vaccine (RIV3) was initially licensed in 2013 and approved for all adults ≥18 in 2014. This study evaluated the safety of RIV3 compared with trivalent standard-dose, inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC). Methods This Phase 4 observational, postmarketing safety study included persons ≥18 years vaccinated with RIV3 or IIV3 in KPNC during the 2015–2016 influenza season. We compared (1) the rates of prespecified diagnoses of interest (Guillain-Barré Syndrome, pericarditis, pleural effusion, narcolepsy/cataplexy, asthma, acute hypersensitivity reactions, and fever) during various postvaccination risk intervals as well as (2) all-cause hospitalization and mortality 0–180 days after vaccination. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, month of vaccination, and concomitant receipt of other vaccinations. Results Comparing the 21 976 persons who received RIV3 with the 283 683 who received IIV3, there were statistically significant differences in the prespecified diagnoses of interest between the 2 groups. Specifically, RIV3 vaccination was associated with fewer fever diagnoses during the 0–41 days postvaccination (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14–0.86). Also, RIV3 was associated with fewer all-cause hospitalizations during the 0–180 days postvaccination (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.61–0.73), which was mostly related to pregnancy-related hospitalizations in IIV3 recipients. There were no serious adverse events or deaths related to RIV3. Conclusions This study did not identify any safety concerns regarding the use of RIV3 in adults.