[The topicality of return to smallpox vaccination: problems and prospects].

Nowadays there are certain facts which evidence the necessity of return to smallpox vaccination in Russia, especially concerning people who will be engaged in the liquidation of the nidi of this infection, should such appear. Smallpox virus is kept in laboratories of some countries; there is a real threat of biological terrorism; population immunity to smallpox infection is virtually absent. Considering the present situation in development and production of smallpox vaccines and remedies against vaccine-related complications, the tactics of population vaccination in Russia may vary. The main problems concerning return to smallpox vaccination in Russia are the following: there are no modern schemes (schedules) of smallpox immunization; there are no currently available and safe vaccines for primary immunization of adults; there are no preparations for prevention and treatment of vaccine-related complications. Thus, the priority areas are: development of effective and safe oral adult vaccines for primary immunization; production of human and heterologous immune globulins and their storage.