Smallpox Vaccine
What is the smallpox vaccine and how does it work?
If smallpox was wiped out long ago, why have I recently heard about the vaccine?
What is a Smallpox Response Team?
Should everyone get the smallpox vaccine?
I was vaccinated years ago—am I still protected?
I’m worried and would like to be vaccinated despite the risks. Can I get the vaccine now?
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Smallpox Vaccine: What You Should Know
What is the smallpox vaccine and how does it work?
The smallpox vaccine was used until the early 1970s to wipe out smallpox worldwide. Much like other vaccines, the smallpox vaccine protects against infection by helping your body develop immunity to the smallpox virus. The smallpox vaccine is made from a live virus that’s very similar to the smallpox virus. The vaccine doesn’t cause smallpox, but it can cause life-threatening problems in some people.
If smallpox was wiped out long ago, why have I recently heard about the vaccine?
A smallpox epidemic hasn’t occurred for many years, but there are still stocks of the virus in laboratories throughout the world. It is possible that these stocks of the smallpox virus could be used as weapons in a bioterrorism attack. The United States government has developed a plan to help protect Americans against smallpox in the event of bioterrorism.
What is a Smallpox Response Team?
A Smallpox Response Team is a group of medical professionals who have received the smallpox vaccine. In the event of a smallpox attack, these people could continue to provide health care to others. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is now working with state and local governments to form these response teams.
Should everyone get the smallpox vaccine?
For most people, whether they are vaccinated against smallpox depends on whether there has been an outbreak of the disease. In most cases, the vaccine causes mild side effects, such as soreness around the vaccination site, fever and body aches. A small percent of people will suffer serious side effects and may even die. Thus, if there hasn’t been an outbreak of smallpox, the risks associated with the vaccine don’t outweigh the benefits for most people. The following groups of people are more likely to have severe reactions and should only be vaccinated if actually exposed to smallpox:
- Those who have a history of eczema or other chronic skin conditions like atopic dermatitis.
- Those who have other severe but nonchronic skin conditions, such as chickenpox or cystic acne. (These people may get the vaccine once they are completely healed.)
- Those who share a household with someone who suffers from a skin condition.
- Those who have a condition that results in a weakened immune system, either naturally or because of treatment. This includes people who have cancer, organ transplants, HIV or AIDS, and people taking medicines like steroids.
- Those who are allergic to any part of the smallpox vaccine.
- Those who are pregnant or nursing.
- Children under 12 months of age.
I was vaccinated years ago—am I still protected?
Probably not. Studies show that the vaccine is most effective for 3 to 5 years after vaccination.
I’m worried and would like to be vaccinated despite the risks. Can I get the vaccine now?
Not at this time, but this could change in the near future. Efforts are currently focused on vaccinating members of the military, civilians whose jobs put them at a higher risk of smallpox infection and certain health care workers.
A note about vaccines
Sometimes the amount of a certain vaccine cannot keep up with the number of people who need it. More info...
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Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Reviewed/Updated: 11/05
Created: 01/03
Copyright © 2003-2008 American Academy of Family Physicians
|This article provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this article applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
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|This article provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this article applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
For private, noncommercial use only.
Home | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | About This Site | What's New |