Vaccine Interventions against the H5N1 Virus: Efficacy, Safety, and Implications for Public Health

Authors

  • Gabriel Vitor Romão de Oliviera Universidade de São Paulo
  • Gabryel Crispim de Farias Lück Universidade de São Paulo

Keywords:

H5N1, vacinas adjuvadas, imunogenicidade, saúde pública

Abstract

This qualitative review evaluates vaccine interventions against the H5N1 virus, focusing on efficacy and safety. Adjuvanted vaccines exhibit high immunogenicity and potential for cross-protection against viral variants, making them promising tools. However, challenges include reactogenicity — local or systemic adverse reactions — and scalability for mass production. The exclusion of vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, from clinical trials limits the findings’ applicability to diverse populations. Ethical and epidemiological concerns also arise, underscoring the need for ongoing surveillance to track outbreaks. The study highlights innovative technologies, like mRNA platforms, as future solutions for rapid pandemic response. Combining effective vaccines, inclusive strategies, and technological advances is vital to reduce public health risks.

References

CHANTHAVANICH, P. et al. Antibody responses against heterologous A/H5N1 strains for an MF59-adjuvanted cell culture-derived A/H5N1 (aH5N1c) influenza vaccine in healthy pediatric subjects. Vaccine, v. 39, n. 47, p. 6930-6935, 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.10.010.

CHEN, X. et al. Serological evidence of human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, v. 18, n. 1, 377, 2020. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01836-y.

CHENG, M. P. et al. Acute cardiac injury in coronavirus disease 2019 and other viral infections—a systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Care Medicine, v. 49, n. 9, p. 1558-1566, 2021. DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005026.

EL SAHLY, H. M. et al. Topical imiquimod does not provide an adjuvant effect when administered with inactivated influenza A/H5N1 vaccine in healthy young adults. Journal of Infectious Diseases, v. 224, n. 10, p. 1712-1719, 2021. DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab206.

ENDO, M. et al. Clinical phase II and III studies of an AS03-adjuvanted H5N1 influenza vaccine produced in an EB66® cell culture platform. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, v. 14, n. 5, p. 551-563, 2020. DOI: 10.1111/irv.12755.

HOWARD, L. M. et al. Metabolomic signatures differentiate immune responses in avian influenza vaccine recipients. Journal of Infectious Diseases, v. 230, n. 3, p. 716-725, 2024. DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad611.

KIM, J. H. et al. Immunogenicity and safety of AS03-adjuvanted H5N1 influenza vaccine in children 6-35 months of age: results from a phase 2, randomized, observer-blind, multicenter, dose-ranging study. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, v. 40, n. 9, p. e333-e339, 2021. DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003247.

MATSUDA, K. et al. A replication-competent adenovirus-vectored influenza vaccine induces durable systemic and mucosal immunity. Journal of Clinical Investigation, v. 131, n. 5, e140794, 2021. DOI: 10.1172/JCI140794.

NTAKIYISUMBA, E. et al. Prevalence, seroprevalence and risk factors of avian influenza in wild bird populations in Korea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Viruses, v. 15, n. 2, 472, 2023. DOI: 10.3390/v15020472.

OLBEI, M. et al. SARS-CoV-2 causes a different cytokine response compared to other cytokine storm-causing respiratory viruses in severely ill patients. Frontiers in Immunology, v. 12, 629193, 2021. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.629193.

PURCELL, R. et al. Systematic review of avian influenza virus infection and outcomes during pregnancy. Emerging Infectious Diseases, v. 31, n. 1, p. 50-56, 2025. DOI: 10.3201/eid3101.241343.

TIAN, C. et al. Risk factors and protective measures for healthcare worker infection during highly infectious viral respiratory epidemics: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, v. 43, n. 5, p. 639-650, 2022. DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.18.

WIMMERS, F. et al. The single-cell epigenomic and transcriptional landscape of immunity to influenza vaccination. Cell, v. 184, n. 15, p. 3915-3935.e21, 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.05.039.

YUAN, K. et al. Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder after infectious disease pandemics in the twenty-first century, including COVID-19: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Molecular Psychiatry, v. 26, n. 9, p. 4982-4998, 2021. DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01036-x.

ZHANG, K. et al. Immunogenicity of H5N1 influenza vaccines in elderly adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, v. 17, n. 2, p. 475-484, 2021. DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1777822.

ZHOU, F. et al. Matrix M adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies and neuraminidase inhibiting antibodies in humans that correlate with in vivo protection. Frontiers in Immunology, v. 12, 747774, 2021. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.747774.

Published

2025-04-12

How to Cite

de Oliviera, G. V. R., & Lück, G. C. de F. (2025). Vaccine Interventions against the H5N1 Virus: Efficacy, Safety, and Implications for Public Health. Journal of Convergent Scientific Inquiry, 1(2), 35–45. Retrieved from https://jcsi.ufrdj.com/index.php/jcsi/article/view/13

Issue

Section

Revisão Narrativa ou Integrativa