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Smallpox vaccine efficacy

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cowoo
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Smallpox vaccine efficacy

Is the smallpox vaccine currently being offered for first responders the same as the military's and is it effective against all the major smallpox strains. If not which is it most effective against? And least?

Also, is there any difference in the likelihood or acuity of the potential side effects or reactions in those receiving the vaccine who have been previously vaccinated during childhood or military service?

Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:01 pm 
     
RIID OpMed
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Re: Smallpox vaccine efficacy

quote:
Originally posted by cowoo:
Is the smallpox vaccine currently being offered for first responders the same as the military's and is it effective against all the major smallpox strains. If not which is it most effective against? And least?

Also, is there any difference in the likelihood or acuity of the potential side effects or reactions in those receiving the vaccine who have been previously vaccinated during childhood or military service?


Reply: There are only two strains of variola - variola major and variola minor. The same Dryvax vaccine is used by both the military and by civilians in the U.S. The WHO also used several other vaccinia strains, but all were considered equivalent in protection. The smallpox vaccine protects against both variola major and variola minor.

The data from the 1968 smallpox vaccination epidemiology study (Lane et al, NEJM, 281:1201-8, 1969; Lane & Millar, Am J Epidemiol, 93:23840, 1971) suggested that the risk associated with revaccination is extremely low. "The rare serious complications of revaccination occur in patients with underlying diseases which impair immunologic mechanisms, or who have not been vaccinated for many years and have lost their residual immunity." (Lane & Millar, 1971).

Wed Mar 12, 2003 1:41 pm 
     
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