Center Articles and Publications

Smallpox Vaccination: A Review, Part II.  Adverse Events

Vincent A. Fulginiti, Arthur Papier, J. Michael Lane, John M. Neff, and D. A. Henderson

Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2003;37(2):251-271. © 2003 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.

Excerpt from Introduction: "Smallpox vaccination of health care workers, military personnel, and some first responders has begun in the United States in 2002–2003 as one aspect of biopreparedness. Full understanding of the spectrum of adverse events and of their cause, frequency, identification, prevention, and treatment is imperative. This article describes known and suspected adverse events occurring after smallpox vaccination. In part I of this series, we reviewed routine use of smallpox vaccine in primary vaccination and revaccination and outlined the normal, expected reactions.

"In part II, we detail specific characteristics, rates of occurrence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment for adverse events that occur in some individuals after smallpox vaccination. Vaccination is generally safe and effective for prevention of smallpox. Smallpox vaccination can result in adverse reactions in individuals with and without specific, preexisting susceptibilities. Some of these reactions are benign, if frightening in appearance; some are serious but treatable; and a few are rare and serious and can be life-threatening."
    

Note: Full article available on publisher's website.

Links will open in a new browser window. To return to the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC close the window in which the publication appears.