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December 13, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Plan for Vaccinations Carries Risk of Infecting Other People" New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (12/13/02) P. A17; Grady, Denise
Public health experts fear that people who are vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine will infect others, because the site on the upper arm, where the smallpox vaccine is delivered, can shed the live virus and infect people at high risk of being harmed by the virus for up to three weeks after vaccination. Pregnant women, infants less than a year old, HIV-positive people, and those with other immune disorders are all vulnerable to contracting the disease. Recipients of the vaccine will wear a gauze bandage and tape over the vaccination site for up to three weeks after vaccination to reduce the risk of transmission, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bioterror program epidemiologist Lisa Rotz. Rotz also asserts that vaccinated people should wash their hands often, avoid touching the site, and dispose of bandages in plastic bags. Researchers believe very close contact with the vaccination site is required in order for the virus to infect other people.
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