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Is the smallpox vaccine effective safe?

April 26, 2017effective safe smallpox vaccine

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Is the smallpox vaccine effective safe?

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The vaccine is made with a live virus called vaccinia. The vaccine cannot cause smallpox. However, the vaccinia virus can cause serious and even life-threatening side effects. Routine vaccination was stopped in the U.S. in 1972. The smallpox vaccine provides a high level immunity for 3 to 5 years. The effectiveness fades after 5 years and is probably negligible after 20 years. Revaccination provides longer lasting immunity. See the AFSCME Fact sheet — Smallpox Vaccine: What Workers Need to Know Before Volunteering to Be Vaccinated — for more information about the smallpox vaccine and related safety and workplace concerns. February 14, 2003 For more information about protecting workers from workplace hazards, contact the AFSCME Health and Safety Program at (202) 429-1228, or 1625 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.