This might be a good indicator of whether the clinic is up-to-date in its quality control. For more information on prevention of Vaccine Induced Fibrosarcomas click here.

Has a moderate to severe illness. If this is the case, the person may receive the vaccine when feeling better.

Very few people would be able to get vaccinated at first. If a pandemic occurs, federal, state and local governments will work with partner groups to make specific recommendations on the early use of vaccine. Current recommendations are to target limited vaccine supplies to people at high risk and healthcare workers.

The smallpox vaccine is not given with a hypodermic needle. It is not a “shot,” like many vaccinations. The vaccine is given using a bifurcated (two-pronged) needle that is dipped into the vaccine solution. When removed, the needle retains a droplet of the vaccine. The needle is then used to prick the skin a number of times in a few seconds. The pricking is not deep, but it will cause a sore spot and one or two drops of blood to form. The vaccine usually is given in the upper arm.

The 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)

As with any vaccinations there is always a chance of an adverse reaction. But the Takahashi rubella does have a proven track record through WHO reports which are completely in line with FDA safety standards. It is comparable to Merck's Meruvax single dose rubella vaccine for both safety and efficacy.

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The United States currently has enough smallpox vaccine to vaccinate everyone in the event of an emergency, but production of new vaccine is ongoing. Copyright 2003 by local6.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The flu virus can change from year to year, and the protection you get from a flu vaccine declines over time. That's why you need a flu vaccination once a year, every year. The best time to get vaccinated is in October or November, at the start of the flu season. However, since flu season often does not peak until December or later, you can still benefit from getting the flu vaccine after November.

There are vaccines that can keep you from getting Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C. The vaccine for Hepatitis A consists of two shots over 6 months. The Hepatitis B vaccine consists of 3 shots over 5-6 months. To get full protection (immunity) against Hepatitis A or B, you must get all of the shots in each series. Almost everyone infected with Hepatitis A completely recovers in about 4 to 8 weeks. There is no medication for Hepatitis A.

Most likely, the federal government will work with manufacturers, distributors and states and the states will develop distribution plans at the local level. States are developing and improving plans to distribute a vaccine rapidly. These plans build on experience gained from other emergencies. In addition, influenza vaccine makers already have systems in place to distribute vaccine.

Vaccines are usually given as a preventive measure. Currently available viral vaccines are usually made from either killed virus or weakened versions of the live virus or pieces of the virus that stimulate an immune response to the virus. When immunized, the body is then poised to fight or prevent infection more effectively. Antivirals are drugs that may be given to help prevent viral infections or to treat people who have been infected by a virus.

The Lyme disease vaccine is inactivated, being a protein piece of the microbe's cell wall. The vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1998 for persons age 15 to 70 years of age. Testing in children younger than 15 is not yet complete, so to prevent tick bites, parents should make sure their children follow the precautions listed above. Three doses of Lyme disease vaccine are needed. The first two doses are given one month apart; the third dose follows the first by 12 months.