What are the risks from smallpox vaccine?
Mild to Moderate Reactions: -Mild rash, lasting 2-4 days. -Swelling and tnderness of lymph nodes, lasting 2-4 weeks after the blister has healed. -Fever of over 100 degrees F (about 70% of children, 17% of adults) or over 102 degrees F (about 15%-20% of children, under 2% of adults). -Secondary blister elsewhere on the body (about 1 per 1,900). Moderate to Severe Reactions: -Rash on entire body (as many as 1 per 4,000) -Severe rash on people with eczema (as many as 1 per 26,000). -Encephalitis (severe brain reaction), which can lead to permanent brain damage (as many as 1 per 83,000). -Severe infection beginning at the vaccination site (as many as 1 per 667,000, mostly in people with weakened immune systems.). Between 14 and 52 per million people vaccinated will have a life-threatening reaction to smallpox vaccine. Adverse reactions can also occur in people who become infected after direct contact with a vaccinated person (virus from vaccination site).
