Comparative immunogenicity and relative vaccine efficacy of recombinant and cell culture-based influenza vaccines: Results from a randomized trial of adults in the United States, 2024-2025

Background: Recombinant (RIV) and cell culture-based inactivated (ccIIV) influenza vaccines could improve seasonal influenza prevention; however, evidence is limited in how protection may differ among non-egg-based vaccines. Methods: We conducted a randomized trial of RIV versus ccIIV to compare vaccine immunogenicity in adults aged 18 to 64 years during the 2024-25 influenza season (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06518577). Active surveillance for influenza-like illness was conducted for six months post-vaccination and cumulative incidence of influenza by vaccine type was compared to estimate relative vaccine efficacy. Participants were tested for influenza by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen tests. Immunogenicity was evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI), virus microneutralization (MN), and neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) assays in a subset of blood specimens collected pre-vaccination and one-month post-vaccination. Results: Among the 591 participants, 25 cases of influenza A were detected; 2.4% cumulative incidence among RIV recipients versus 6.1% among ccIIV recipients. The probability of influenza was 61% lower with RIV than ccIIV (95% confidence interval: 7 to 84). Among 151 participants, post-vaccination HAI and MN titers vaccine components were higher among RIV recipients while NAI titers were higher among ccIIV recipients. Conclusions: RIV provided better protection than ccIIV against influenza A illness in adults during the U.S. 2024-2025 season.