What are the most common adverse effects associated with smallpox vaccination?
Because routine vaccination against smallpox was discontinued in 1971 for civilians and in 1990 for military personnel, most young adults and children have not been exposed to the smallpox vaccine. Subsequently, healthcare providers have limited experience administering the smallpox vaccine and monitoring for potential adverse reactions, particularly in the adult population. Now that smallpox (variola major) has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a potential bioweapon, designated individuals (such as military and public health personnel) who may be first responders to a smallpox bioterrorism event need to receive an initial vaccination or be re-vaccinated. In response to this need, the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) implemented a vaccination program in January 2003 for eligible volunteers (primarily health care workers), and the safety outcomes spanning the first 9 months of the smallpox vaccination program have recently been p
