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December 11, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Researchers Test New Smallpox Vaccine for Fewer Side Effects" Duluth News-Tribune (web.duluthnews.com) (12/11/02); Majeski, Tom

The Mayo Clinic is testing a new smallpox vaccine to find out if it has fewer side effects than the older one.  Dr. Greg Poland, director of the Mayo Vaccine Research Group, and his colleagues intend to test the new vaccine this February on people who have already received a smallpox vaccine.  The new vaccine contains the same strain as the old one, but it is grown on sterile cultures of human cells, instead of harvested from infected cows.  Poland explains that the researchers expect some side effects, but hopefully there will be fewer local and systemic complications.  One volunteer for the current testing said he experienced a few days of minor aches, swelling at the inoculation site, and tender lymph nodes.  Toddlers, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems or chronic skin conditions should avoid both the vaccine and those who are newly vaccinated.

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