Smallpox Vaccination

One of the Non-routine Vaccines by Disease

The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity 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. Currently, the United States has a big enough stockpile of smallpox vaccine to vaccinate everyone in the U.S. in the event of a smallpox emergency. More...