What is the smallpox vaccine?
A vaccine (say: vak-seen), a type of shot, can prevent infection with the virus that causes smallpox. Years ago, people were vaccinated against smallpox. Today, smallpox vaccines aren’t given because nobody has had the disease for many years. Although you can’t — and don’t need to — get a smallpox vaccine right now, there is a supply of the vaccine in case there’s an outbreak of the disease. Scientists are also working to make more vaccine to have on hand for the future. • Are there medicines to take for smallpox? There are no pills that can treat smallpox, but scientists are doing research to try to develop medicine for the disease. If someone does become infected with the smallpox virus, getting the vaccine within a few days of becoming infected can lessen the disease’s symptoms. If you still feel scared when you hear about smallpox, remember that it’s very unlikely that you, your family, or anyone you know will ever come in contact with the virus that causes it. To feel better, talk
The smallpox vaccine is the only known method to prevent smallpox and helps the body develop immunity. 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.
