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December 13, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Resuming Smallpox Shots Carries Risk"

New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (12/12/02) P. A23; Grady, Denise

Up to 30 percent of people who receive the smallpox vaccination develop a sore, swollen arm and body aches that cause them to miss a few days of work, but 15 patients out of every million people vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine develop life-threatening complications, such as encephalitis, infections, and serious skin rashes.  Vulnerable people include those with certain medical problems, such as skin rashes like eczema, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and infants under one year of age.  Those vulnerable groups should avoid the vaccination and stay away from people who recently had a smallpox vaccination.  In order to prevent the spread of the disease to others from recently vaccinated people, the vaccinees will wear a special semi-permeable bandages for several weeks.

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