Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

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October 7, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Precautions Needed for Those at Risk of Reaction"

USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/07/02) P. 5D; Manning, Anita

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted on Friday information about smallpox and the risks of vaccination on its Web site, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/index.asp.

The vaccine, which contains living cowpox (vaccinia) virus, produces for most people a red, itchy bump at the site of infection within a few days.  The bump turns into a blister and starts to drain after about a week, and then after the second week a scab appears that heals and eventually leaves a scar. Because the virus vaccine can be transmitted by touching the vaccination site--which could be dangerous for people with compromised immune systems or skin conditions like eczema--individuals who have been vaccinated recently should keep the site of injection covered.

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