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May 02, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Despite Warnings, Pregnant Women Got Smallpox Vaccine"

New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (05/02/03) P. A21; Grady, Denise

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Thursday that 103 expectant mothers received the smallpox vaccine, even after being warned about possible dangerous side-effects.  According to the report, some of the women received the shot just prior to conceiving, while others said they were unaware they were pregnant at the time they were inoculated.  News about the vaccinations has alarmed doctors because the smallpox vaccine can cause an infection known as fetal vaccinia, which can kill the unborn or newborn baby, or cause premature birth.  Although the chances of developing this condition is very low and CDC and Defense Department doctors do not expect to see any cases among the 103 women, infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University says the situation is still unfortunate because of the elaborate steps that were taken to warn these women ahead of time.  Eighty-five of the women were enlisted with the military, 12 were volunteers in studies for the vaccine, and six were health workers.

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