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.
------------------------------------------------------------
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.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.