AI Article Synopsis
- Smallpox was eradicated in 1980, but concerns about biological warfare led the U.S. to recommend vaccinations for certain individuals in 2002.
- The smallpox vaccine (Vaccinia) is applied to the skin and remains infectious for 2-4 weeks until fully healed, posing risks of adverse events for the vaccinated and those around them.
- In June 2014, there were incidents of vaccinia transmission at a military base, including a case of autoinoculation linked to shaving, prompting an investigation and preventative measures.
Article Abstract
Although naturally occurring smallpox virus was officially declared eradicated in 1980, concern for biological warfare prompted the U.S. Government in 2002 to recommend smallpox vaccination for select individuals. Vaccinia, the smallpox vaccine virus, is administered into the skin, typically on the upper arm, where the virus remains viable and infectious until the scab falls off and the epidermis is fully intact - typically 2-4 weeks. Adverse events following smallpox vaccination may occur in the vaccinee, in individuals who have contact with the vaccinee (i.e., secondary transmission), or in individuals who have contact with the vaccinee's contact (i.e., tertiary transmission). In June 2014 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX, two cases of inadvertent inoculation of vaccinia and one case of a non-viral reaction following vaccination occurred in the security forces training squadron. This includes the first reported case of shaving as the likely source of autoinoculation after contact transmission. This paper describes the diagnosis and treatment of these cases, the outbreak investigation, and steps taken to prevent future transmission.
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