NFECTIONS WITH STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus following median sternotomy cause substantial morbidity and mortality. 1-3 A safe vaccine that provides protection against a majority of S aureus strains during the postoperative period would address an important unmet medical need. 4,5 A novel vaccine candidate (V710; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp) containing the highly conserved S aureus 0657nI iron surface determinant B (IsdB) was protective in animal challenge models 6-8 and immunogenic within 14 days after a single dose of either an adjuvanted or nonadjuvanted formulation in healthy volunteers. 9,10 Antibody response to V710 was similar in younger and older partici-For editorial comment see p 1408.

Administration of either one or two injections of varicella vaccine to healthy children results in long term protection against most varicella disease. The two dose regimen was significantly more effective than a single injection.