What about smallpox? Is there a vaccine I can get for my family and me?
E&A: Frequently Asked Questions - Biological & Chemi...Routine smallpox vaccinations were discontinued in the 1970s after the disease was eradicated. Vaccine is not currently available to the public. A supply of smallpox vaccine would be sent to affected areas if an outbreak occurs and would be used to protect citizens and emergency workers. Routine vaccination is not recommended because the vaccine may cause serious side effects and there is no natural risk of exposure.
Related QuestionsWhat about anthrax? Is there a vaccine I can get for my family and me?
E&A: Frequently Asked Questions - Biological & Chemi...The form of anthrax that health authorities are most concerned about is inhalational anthrax, which occurs when a person breathes in anthrax spores. Anthrax vaccine is not available to the general public. Inhalational anthrax is not contagious, so it does not spread from person to person. Healthy people who come into contact with persons sick with inhalational anthrax cannot acquire the disease. It can be treated with antibiotics.
Related QuestionsIs there a vaccine I can get for me and my family for smallpox or anthrax?
Immunizations Branch, Frequently Asked QuestionsSmallpox vaccinations were discontinued in the 1980s after the disease was eradicated, and no vaccine is currently available to the public. Some vaccine is kept by the federal government to be sent to affected areas if an outbreak occurs. No anthrax vaccine is available for the general public. Anthrax is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics. As soon as an anthrax outbreak is detected, these antibiotics can be distributed to those exposed in time to prevent disease.
Related QuestionsWhat is the smallpox vaccine made of?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, a virus related to smallpox but that does not cause smallpox. The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. It does not contain the smallpox virus and cannot spread smallpox.
Related QuestionsCDC Smallpox | FAQ About Smallpox VaccineThe vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, another “pox”-type virus related to smallpox but that does not cause smallpox. The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. It does not contain the smallpox virus and cannot spread smallpox. (added Nov 13, 2002)Related Questions
Who in DoD is going to get the smallpox vaccine?
Frequently Asked Questionspart of this plan, the decision at this time is to vaccinate certain emergency response and medical personnel and other designated personnel that constitute critical mission capabilities, to include those essential to the accomplishment of U.S. Central Command’s missions. The Department may expand the program at a later date. The decision will be implemented using a portion of the existing licensed supplies of smallpox vaccine.
Related QuestionsWhat is the smallpox vaccine, and is it still required?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe smallpox vaccine is the best way to prevent smallpox. The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, which is another “pox”-type virus related to smallpox. The vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. The vaccine does not contain the smallpox virus and cannot spread smallpox. It was successfully used to eradicate smallpox from the human population. Getting smallpox vaccine before exposure will protect about 95 percent of people from getting smallpox.
Related QuestionsHow safe is the smallpox vaccine?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe smallpox vaccine is the best protection you can get if you are exposed to the smallpox virus. Most people experience normal, usually mild, reactions, such as sore arm, fever, headache, body ache, and fatigue. These symptoms may peak eight to 12 days after vaccination. In the past, about 1,000 people for every 1,000,000 (1 million) vaccinated people experienced reactions that were serious, but not life-threatening. Most involved spread of virus elsewhere on the body.
Related QuestionsWhat exactly is the vaccine against smallpox?
Questions and Answers about Smallpox and Smallpox Vaccinatio...The vaccine contains a live virus called "vaccinia", which is very closely related to the smallpox virus ("variola"). Therefore, the vaccine cannot cause smallpox. The vaccine is a weakened, or "attenuated" virus. Thus, it can cause significant vaccine adverse reactions, and rarely death, more so in persons with predisposing conditions (relative contraindications to vaccination - see the next question below).
Related QuestionsIf I am concerned about a smallpox attack, can I go to my doctor and get the smallpox vaccine?
CDC Smallpox | FAQ About Smallpoxthe moment, the smallpox vaccine is not available for members of the general public. In the event of a smallpox outbreak, however, there is enough smallpox vaccine to vaccinate everyone every person in the United States.(modified December 29, 2004)
Related QuestionsIs the anthrax vaccine available to the public?
CDC Anthrax Q & AA vaccine has been developed for anthrax that is protective against invasive disease, but it is currently only recommended for high-risk populations. CDC and academic partners are continuing to support the development of the next generation of anthrax vaccines.
Related QuestionsIs there an anthrax vaccine?
Anthrax FAQ @ Gavel2Gavel.com ||| Cause and Effects of Anthr...Yes. There is an anthrax vaccine. However, because of its limited supply, it is usually reserved for military personnel, meat industry workers and others who are in "high risk" industries that are most likely to come into contact with anthrax. The vaccine is manufactured using a cell-free filtrate method, which means that no dead or live bacteria was used in its creation. The vaccine is about ninety-three percent (93%) effective but does come with some side effects. BioPort Corp.
Related QuestionsWill servicemembers still be deployable if they have not received the smallpox vaccine?
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, if they are in one of the groups that should not receive the smallpox vaccine they will still be deployable. In the event of an actual smallpox attack their vaccination status will be reevaluated.
Related QuestionsWhy is the Department of Defense administering the smallpox vaccine?
Frequently Asked QuestionsWe cannot quantify the threat that smallpox would be used as a bioweapon, but we do know that the consequences of its use could be great. Military missions must go on even if a smallpox outbreak occurs. It may not be feasible to vaccinate military forces soon after exposure if they are deployed to remote locations and/or engaged in military operations. Some military personnel will not be able to postpone vital missions if smallpox is used as a weapon.
Related QuestionsWill smallpox vaccine be provided to other countries for their civilian populations?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe United States will work with like-minded nations and the WHO to facilitate and coordinate nations’ access to existing global smallpox vaccine supplies and to increase the global supply though new production.
Related QuestionsAre diluted doses of smallpox vaccine as effective?
Frequently Asked QuestionsRecent tests have indicated that diluted smallpox vaccine is just as effective in providing immunity as full-strength vaccine.
Related QuestionsHow is the smallpox vaccine administered?
Untitled DocumentTo administer the smallpox vaccine, the World Health Organization recommends use of a bifurcated needle. Typically, the vaccine is given in the deltoid area of the nondominant arm in order to avoid limitation of use should a reaction to the vaccine occur. Unless the injection site is grossly contaminated, cleansing of the area is generally not required. If cleansing of the injection site is needed, use of soap and water is preferred.
Related QuestionsIs there any treatment for complications of smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine?
Questions and Answers about Smallpox and Smallpox Vaccinatio...Yes - Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) is approved and has efficacy against certain of the more common serious vaccine reactions such as eczema vaccinatum and disseminated vaccinia. However, VIG is not effective against vaccinia encephalitis, and is contraindicated in vaccinia keratitis (VIG may worsen the keratitis and loss of vision). VIG only has efficacy against "vaccinia virus" (the virus contained in the vaccine). VIG has NO efficacy against actual smallpox disease (variola virus).
Related QuestionsFAQsThe smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia which is a “pox”-type virus related to smallpox. The smallpox vaccine contains the “live” vaccinia virus—not dead virus like many other vaccines. For that reason, the vaccination site must be cared for carefully to prevent the virus from spreading. Also, the vaccine can have side effects.Related Questions
How does the threat of a smallpox attack on US forces compare with that of an anthrax attack?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThey are both known threats. Many factors go into such determinations including intelligence information, known capabilities and other variables. While we cannot quantify the threat of either one being used as a bioweapon, we know the consequences of their use could be great. Vaccination is a wise, logical step to ensure preparedness for the U.S.
Related QuestionsWill the people receiving anthrax vaccinations be the same ones receiving the smallpox vaccinations?
Frequently Asked QuestionsGenerally speaking, forces currently designated to receive anthrax vaccine also will receive smallpox vaccine. Additional forces will be vaccinated against smallpox given that smallpox, unlike anthrax, is contagious and can be prevented only with vaccine. The Secretary of Defense may decide in the future to expand the scope of both the anthrax and smallpox vaccination programs.
Related Questionslocal6.com - Smallpox Vaccine: Frequently Asked QuestionsThe smallpox vaccine helps your body develop immunity to smallpox. It is made from a virus related to smallpox called "vaccinia." Unlike many others, the smallpox vaccine contains live, not dead virus. The vaccine is not given with a hypodermic needle, but rather a two-pronged needle that is dipped into the vaccine solution and then gently pushed into your skin several times in a few seconds.Related Questions
PC Gov. BDPR - Smallpox vaccine - Frequently asked questionsDryvax is the name of the smallpox vaccine that is currently licensed for use in the United States. It is a live-virus preparation of infectious vaccinia virus made by Wyeth Laboratories, Inc., Marietta, Pennsylvania. Vaccinia vaccine does not contain smallpox (variola) virus and cannot cause smallpox.Related Questions
City of Austin - Health Department - Bioterrorismthe result of a successful worldwide effort to eradicate smallpox, smallpox vaccine was removed from the commercial market in 1983. Routine vaccinations were stopped in the U.S. in 1972 because many people experienced side effects and there was almost no risk of getting smallpox. The United States Public Health Service maintains an emergency stockpile of approximately 15 million doses of smallpox vaccine and the federal government has recently accelerated production of a new smallpox vaccine.Related Questions
