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April 3, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Saint Louis University Researchers Launch Latest Smallpox Vaccine Study" Associated Press (www.ap.org) (04/01/02); Suhr, Jim

A new study is underway at Saint Louis University (SLU) to see if a booster shot of diluted smallpox vaccine can revive the immunity of people vaccinated more than 30 years ago.  It is believed that immunization against smallpox lasts about 10 years, but that length of time has not been clearly defined; researchers at SLU, who have already conducted experiments of smallpox vaccines on people under the age of 32 who were never previously vaccinated against the disease, feel that they have the expertise for such an undertaking.  Chief investigator Dr. Sharon Frey said that of the 80 participants, those who have never been vaccinated for smallpox will receive the undiluted vaccine, while those who were vaccinated as children will receive a dose diluted by 3.2 times, 10 times, or 32 times.

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