Who is vaccinated for smallpox

However, because of concern that variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism, the U. If you need long-term protection, you may need to get booster vaccinations regularly. To stay protected from smallpox, you should get booster vaccinations every 3 years. If there is a smallpox outbreak, public health officials will say who else should get the vaccine.

CDC works with federal, state, and local officials to prepare for a smallpox outbreak. The smallpox vaccine is given by a special technique.

It is given using a two-pronged bifurcated needle that is dipped into the vaccine solution. When removed, the needle holds a droplet of the vaccine. The needle is used to prick the skin a number of times in a few seconds. The pricking is not deep, but it will cause a sore spot and one or two drops of blood to form. The vaccine usually is given in the upper arm. If the vaccination is successful, a red and itchy lesion develops at the vaccine site in 3 to 4 days.

Vaccine Basics. Minus Related Pages. The vaccine does not contain the smallpox virus and cannot give you smallpox. Other live virus vaccines currently used include measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.

Related Resources. Information for Vaccinators. Related Links. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

Therefore, smallpox vaccine protected against disease caused by smallpox, even 50 years after vaccination. Smallpox infections no longer occur in the world. Currently, the risks of the vaccine clearly outweigh its benefits.

However, if smallpox infections were to occur again in the United States, the relationship between vaccine risks and benefits would change dramatically. Smallpox and vaccinia in Vaccines, 7th Edition, , Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.

Contact Us Online. The disease What is smallpox? About 30 of every people infected with smallpox will die from the disease. How do you catch smallpox? Usually it takes about 12 days from the time one is exposed to the virus for symptoms to begin. What is the smallpox vaccine and how is it made? Vaccine success Smallpox was the first human infection to be successfully eradicated. How is the smallpox vaccine administered? Does the smallpox vaccine have side effects? Severe side effects following administration of the smallpox vaccine do occur but are relatively uncommon: In a small number of people, the smallpox vaccine can cause swelling of the heart or the tissue that surrounds it, leading to chest pain or pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, or breathing problems.

These can occur up to 4 weeks after receipt of the vaccine and should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider as they can cause a medical emergency. Swelling of the brain or spinal cord Bacterial infection of the vaccination site Spread of the virus to other parts of the body, or even to other people, particularly if the recipient scratches the injection site and then touches another part of their body without washing their hands Severe allergic reaction shortly after receipt of the vaccine, called anaphylaxis While anyone can experience side effects, some people are at greater risk.

These include those who: Have eczema, atopic dermatitis or other skin issues Have heart conditions or a family history of heart problems, including history of heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke or other conditions Smoke Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood sugar Are pregnant or breastfeeding Are less than 1 year old Are using steroid-based eye medications Had allergic reactions to previous doses or are allergic to neomycin or polymyxin B Who should get the smallpox vaccine?

How long does immunity to smallpox last? Do the benefits of the smallpox vaccine outweigh its risks? Disease risks Although this disease is deadly, no cases occur anywhere in the world, so the risk today is zero. Because there is no risk of disease, this is a situation in which the use of a vaccine does NOT outweigh the risks of disease. Vaccine risks Inflammation of heart or tissues surrounding heart Infection of the inoculation site Inadvertent inoculation of another site or other people Swelling of brain or spinal cord Severe allergic reaction Rarely death.

Cohen, J. Smallpox vaccinations: how much protection remains? Science Next Steps Contact Us.