Altruistic World Online Library

Smallpox Pandemic Planned: Are You Ready?
by Vaccination Liberation

The following has been taken verbatim from a flyer being circulated by Vaccination Liberation. The flyer is part of a campaign to alert Americans of the looming public health disaster accompanying mass smallpox vaccination.

VacLib can be contacted at http://www.vaclib.org. You can access the website and help save your community, friends and family from the cowpox pandemic being planned for America.

Your state and local health officials, on orders from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are now making plans to give the people of our state smallpoxvaccinations.This is the same CDC that sent Saddam Hussein deadly bio-warfare agentsincluding anthrax germsin the 1980s, according to congressional records and media reports.

In November 2002, Congress passed the infamous Homeland Security Act, authorizing the federal government to make vaccinations MANDATORY.

If "Intere$ted Partie$" can produce ONE CASE of smallpox anywhere in the U.S.,the CDC will ship the smallpox vaccine to your area. Then public announcements will instruct citizens to report to mass vaccination clinics.

CDC officials admit that smallpox is NOT explosively contagious. Transmission generally requires seven days of close contact with a person who is obviously ill withfever and rash. Because of the slow transmission rate, smallpox would NOT make a successful bio-terrorist weapon. By contrast, a government sponsored mass vaccination program guarantees a nationwide smallpox epidemic because a live virus will be implanted in millions of people, who will then be infectious to others for up to 21 days after vaccination.

Federal officials and medical experts admit that no one knows for sure if the vaccinia smallpox vaccine really creates immunity to the variola smallpox virus.

Government experts admit that mass vaccination may cause thousands of deaths and millions of serious adverse reactions, which include: Progressive vaccinia (victims die after the vaccine virus eats away flesh, bone and gut); brain damaging encephalitis, paralysis, smallpox sores all over the body, scarring and blindness (if the scab virus enters the eyes).

People with weak immune systems are at high risk for serious complications from smallpox vaccine.CDC's official list of persons at high risk includes:

 Children under 18, especially infants, due to high risk of brain inflammation
 Pregnant women (an infected fetus can be either stillborn or die at birth)
 Millions of people with eczema or other acute skin conditions
 Those who are immuno-suppressed from cancer, AIDS, herpes, chronic fatigue, MS, diabetes and organ transplants
 Those allergic to vaccine chemicals and antibiotics

Because the smallpox vaccine is so dangerous, leading medical organizations recommend against universal smallpox vaccination. These include:The American Medical Association, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Both old and new smallpox vaccines are experimental. The outdated Wyeth (Dryvax) and Aventis stocks dredged up by the CDC were made decades ago, using obsolete techniques and diseased cow (mad cow?) lymph. The new vaccines, to be made from human fetal tissue or monkey serum, will be recombinant at a time when many scientists believe that genetically engineered vaccines may be responsible for our nationwide epidemic of auto-immune and neurological conditions including autism, diabetes, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and MS-like illnesses.

Commercial vaccines are often contaminated with cancer viruses, bacteria and mycoplasma which escape the filtering process. For example, the cancer-causing Simian Virus 40, which contaminated early polio vaccines 40 years ago, is now being found in bone and brain tumors, as well as Hodgkin's Disease. Although dozens of recent studies reveal equally serious contamination of modern vaccines, the CDC admits that there is no funding available for determining which vaccines are contaminated. Especially worrisome are reports that the European consortium manufacturing the new smallpox vaccine knowingly sold AIDS-tainted blood products to hemophiliacs in the 1980s.

A mass smallpox campaign could prove as disastrous as the government's recent anthrax vaccine disaster.Dr. Garth Nicolson, a world-renown cancer researcher and Nobel Prize nominee, told Congress in 2002 that contaminated anthrax vaccines administered to Armed Forces personnel are partially responsible for debilitating chronic illnesses now suffered by tens of thousands of them.Dr. Nicolson confirms that commercial vaccines are often contaminated withmycoplasma, causing symptoms associated with Gulf War Syndrome. When Dr. Nicolson examined the mycoplasma infecting sick Gulf War vets,he discovered that some strains had been genetically engineered with a portion of the HIV virus! Apparently this HIV-implanted mycoplasma was placed in Department of Defense vaccines for experimental purposes.

Who will compensate those who develop chronic illness, or the families of those who die from the smallpox vaccine?Under provisions of the Homeland Security Act, technicians who administer the smallpox vaccine are protected from liability. Only one in four vaccine-damaged children is compensated by the federal government's vaccine compensation program. AndDr. Nicolson told Congress that sick Gulf War vets are still waiting for adequate medical and financial compensation for their illnesses.

For additional documentation, go to: www.vaclib.org/basic/smallpoxindex.htm

YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT!

Vaccination: It isn't just about smallpox

Webster's Dictionary gives the following as the 5th definition of the word cult: "[a] system for the cure of disease based on the dogma, tenets, or principles set forth by its promulgator to the exclusion of scientific experience or demonstration."

Those who believe that injecting live and dead viruses, animal DNA and toxic chemicals into the body creates immunity to disease are, by definition, members of a cult. By extension, those who promote and administer these substances are the high priests and priestesses of this cult. Regardless of what we have been conditioned to believe, there is no proof that vaccines prevent the spread of disease. There is, however, centuries of proof that vaccines cause the spread of disease. As for the safety issue, look around and understand that the common denominator for epidemics of cancers, Developmental / behavioral / sociopathic disorders, chronic and imunosuppressive diseases is vaccination.

Vaccines do not prevent disease and they are not safe. To the contrary, they spread disease and create new diseases. And now the high priests of the vaccination cult are contemplating a campaign to put a pox upon the land by inoculating every man, woman and child in America with their cow pus cocktail. We have to stop them.

The following books and websites will aid your efforts to save those closest to you from being sacrificed on the altar to the gods of medical experimentation:

1. "Pasteur Exposed: The False Foundations of Modern Medicine," by Ethel Douglas Hume
2. "Vaccination, Social Violence and Criminality: The Medical Assault on the American Brain," by Harris L. Coulter, Ph.D.
3. "Vaccines: Are They Really Safe and Effective?" by Neil Z. Miller
4. "Immunization: The Reality Behind the Myth," Walene James
5. "DPT: A Shot in the Dark" by Harris L. Coulter, Ph.D. and Barbara Loe Fisher
6. "Vaccination and Immunization: Dangers, Delusions and Alternatives," by Leon Chaitow
7. "The Sanctity of Human Blood: Vaccination is Not Immunization," by Tim O'Shea, D.C.
8. "Vaccination: 100 Years of Orthodox Research shows that Vaccines Represent a Medical Assault on the Immune System," by Viera Scheibner, Ph.D.
9. "What Every Parent Should Know About Childhood Immunization," by Jamie Murphy
10. "Immunization: History, Ethics, Law and Health," by Catherine J.M. Diodati
11. www.vaclib.org (www.vaclib.org/basic/smallpoxindex.htm)
12. www.whale.to/vaccines.htm
13. www.vaccinationdebate.com
14. www.allaboutsmallpox.com
15. www.mercola.com

The five sites above could keep a person busy reading for quite some time. Since the topic of vaccination is so huge, most people will zero in on a specific area of interest. Each site can be mined for links that will lead you to a comprehensive understanding of your particular area of investigation. You will be amazed to discover that books, magazine articles and reports published in esteemed science and medical journals have been pointing out the medical illogic of vaccination for 200 years. Good luck.

What Can I Do?

 demand a copy of your state's "smallpox plan"
 submit a "letter to the editor"
 call into radio talk shows
 print out flyers for mass distribution from www.vaclib.org/basic/smallpoxindex.htm#flyer
 post flyers on bulletin boards and share them with store clerks, friends and neighbors: encourage them to also duplicate and distribute
 write or call your health district director with pertinent questions (sample letters at www.vaclib.org/news/healthdept.htm)
 purchase 100 copies of Smallpox Alert! for distribution (see page 3 for ordering details)

The birth of Smallpox Alert!

Since Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson declared in October, 2001, that he was going to personally make sure a smallpox vaccine with every American's name on it would soon be available, Vaccination Liberation, The Idaho Observer newspaper and a handful of brilliant researchers began studying smallpox as a public health concern. We have learned much about "the pox" and its long and interesting public health history. So much, in fact, that we can say with absolute certainty that the mass vaccination campaign being planned by top public health authorities is 180 degrees off the beam. The CDC's own literature shows how a mass vaccination effort against smallpox will likely produce a public health disaster of cataclysmic proportions.

As our theory of a vaccine-induced pandemic accumulated scientific and anecdotal support, the CDC's dream of a nationwide vaccination administration machine was getting closer and closer to being a militarily-enforced reality.

Pro-mass vaccination articles began appearing regularly in newspapers and magazines last summer. On Sept. 22, 2002, the CDC released a 49-page report to the 50 state health departments that outlined how they can vaccinate up to a million people in 10 days. State and local health districts were expected to forward their community mass vaccination plans to the CDC by Nov. 22.

Our local public health district director would not answer adequately our respectfully submitted questions, nor would she let us review the "confidential" plan submitted to the CDC. Though the state plan is allegedly available we have yet to see it. "Why would public health plans be confidential?" we wondered.

Then, beginning Dec. 1, 2002, three different people informed us that police had told them citizens will be arrested as a public health risk if they refuse the smallpox vaccine.

That was the final straw. Several of us met Dec. 3, 2002, to design a flyer that would be circulated to stop this medically illogical insanity. We decided, in addition, to publish an eight-page Smallpox Alert!

So, here we are. Sound the Smallpox Alert! Help us to stop the government from perpetrating a discompassionate and misguided crime against your children, your family members, friends and countrymen. (DWH, ILC, et al)


Pro-vaccinators argue that vaccination is solely responsible for the decline of certain diseases. The chart above shows that incidence of five diseases were on the way out before vaccinations were routinely administered. The truth is that improved public sanitation and year-round access to fresh produce brought about by the advent of refrigeration and motorized transportation -not vaccines- were responsible for the reduction of incidence of disease. Source Article www.healthsentinel.com


Individual Graphs (Australia)
DID WE EVER REALLY NEED VACCINATIONS?
From: Vaccination, A Parents Dilema, Greg Beattle, c 1997, Oracle Press, Queensland, Australia, p. 36-57

Package Insert

The following verbatim excerpts of the package insert for Wyeth 's Dryvax® has been provided because they contain extremely revealing information and few vaccine recipients know they even exist. Now that we know smallpox (variola) is not fatal and mass smallpox (vaccinia) vaccination has a 200-year history of failure, it is important to read the smallpox vaccine package insert. The manufacturer admits severe complications (including death) have resulted from the administration of their vaccine. Are you willing to take it hoping it will not kill or maim youeven though smallpox is not necessarily a fatal disease and there is no guarantee the vaccine will provide immunity from smallpox?

Smallpox Vaccine
Dried, Calf Lymph Type
Dryvax®
Dried Smallpox Vaccine
Rx only

DO NOT INJECT INTRAMUSCULARLY (IM), INTRAVENOUSLY (IV), or SUBCUTANEOUSLY (SC). FOR CONVENTIONAL SMALLPOX VACCINATION (SCARIFICATION) ONLY.

DESCRIPTION

Smallpox Vaccine, Dried, Calf Lymph Type, Dryvax®, is a live-virus preparation of vaccinia virus prepared from calf lymph. The calf lymph is purified, concentrated, and dried by lyophilization. During processing, polymyxin B sulfate, dihydrostreptomycin sulfate, chlortetracycline hydrochloride, and neomycin sulfate are added, and trace amounts of these antibiotics may be present in the final product. The reconstituted vaccine has been shown by appropriate test methods to contain not more than 200 viable bacterial organisms per mL.

The diluent for Dryvax® contains 50% glycerin, and 0.25% phenol in Sterile Water for Injection, USP.

The reconstituted vaccine, which contains approximately 100 million infectious vaccinia viruses per mL, is intended only for multiple-puncture use, ie, administration of the vaccine into the superficial layers of the skin using a bifurcated needle.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Introduction of potent smallpox vaccine containing infectious vaccinia viruses into the superficial layers of the skin results in viral multiplication, immunity, and cellular hypersensitivity. With the primary vaccination, a papule appears at the site of vaccination on about the 2nd to 5th day. This becomes a vesicle on the 5th or 6th day, which becomes pustular, umbilicated, and surrounded by erythema and induration. The maximal area of erythema is attained between the 8th and 12th day following vaccination (usually the 10th). The erythema and swelling then subside, and a crust forms which comes off about the 14th to 21st day. At the height of the primary reaction known as the Jennerian response, there is usually regional lymphadenopathy and there may be systemic manifestations of fever and malaise.

Primary vaccination with product at a potency of 100 million pock-forming units (pfu)/mL elicits a 97% response rate by both major reaction (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Interpretation of Responses: Major Reaction) and neutralizing antibody response in children.1,2 Immunity wanes after several years, and an allergic sensitization to viral proteins can
persist. This allergy is manifested by the appearance of a papule and a small area of redness appearing within the first 24 hours after revaccination; this may be the maximum reaction but not infrequently vesicles appear in 24 to 48 hours with ultimate scabbing. The peak of this type of reaction is passed within three days following the application of fully potent vaccine with an antibody rise occurring in roughly half of those who exhibit such a reaction. As immunity wanes, revaccination with potent vaccine elicits this allergic response followed by the changes produced by propagating virus. The lesion may then go through the same course as the primary vaccination or may exhibit an accelerated development of the lesion and its attendant erythema. Viral propagation is assumed to have occurred (and an immune response evoked) when the greatest area of skin involvement (erythema) occurs after the third day following revaccination. Revaccination is considered successful if a vesicular or pustular lesion is present or an area of definite palpable induration or congestion surrounding a central lesion, which may be a scar or ulcer, is present on examination 6-8 days after revaccination.3

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Smallpox vaccine is indicated for active immunization against smallpox disease. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination of laboratory workers who directly handle a) cultures or b) animals contaminated or infected with non-highly attenuated vaccinia virus, recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from non-highly attenuated vaccinia strains, or other Orthopoxviruses that infect humans (eg, monkeypox, cowpox, vaccinia and variola).2 The ACIP also recommends that vaccination can be considered for healthcare workers who have contact with clinical specimens, contaminated materials (eg, dressings), or patients receiving vaccinia or recombinant vaccinia viruses. Laboratory and other healthcare personnel who work with highly-attenuated poxvirus strains such as modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA), NYVAC (derived from the Copenhagen vaccinia strain), ALVAC (derived from canarypox virus), and TROVAC (derived from fowlpox virus) do not require routine vaccination.2 For those in the above special-risk categories, revaccination is recommended at appropriate intervals (every ten years).2 The Armed Forces continue to recommend use of smallpox vaccine for certain categories of personnel. See the most recent issue of Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis, Departments of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and Transportation (Army Regulation 40-562, BUMEDINST 6230.15, Air Force Joint Instruction 48-110, CG COMDTINST M6230.4E)4 and Department of Defense Directive 6205.35 for current recommendations concerning use. The judicious use of smallpox vaccine has been reported to have eradicated smallpox. At the World Health Assembly in May 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the world free of (naturally occurring) smallpox.6 As with any vaccine, smallpox vaccine may not protect all individuals receiving the vaccine.

Use of Smallpox Vaccine in Response to Bioterrorism:

Recommendations for use of smallpox vaccine in response to bioterrorism are periodically updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the most recent recommendations can be found at http://www.cdc.gov.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindications for Routine Non-Emergency Vaccine Use Primary vaccination AND revaccination with smallpox vaccine are contraindicated:

For any individuals who are allergic to any component of the vaccine, including polymyxin B sulfate, dihydrostreptomycin sulfate, chlortetracycline hydrochloride, and neomycin sulfate. Infants <12 months of age. The ACIP advises against non-emergency use of smallpox vaccine in children <18 years of age.2 For individuals of any age with eczema or past history of eczema or for those whose household contacts have eczema, other acute, chronic, or exfoliative skin conditions, (eg, atopic dermatitis, wounds, burns, impetigo, or Varicella zoster) and for siblings or other household contacts of such individuals.2 For persons of any age receiving therapy with systemic corticosteroids at certain doses (eg, >2 mg/kg body weight or >20 mg/day of prednisone for >2 weeks),2 or immunosuppressive drugs (eg, alkylating agents, antimetabolites), or radiation. Household contacts of such persons should not be vaccinated.

For individuals with congenital or acquired deficiencies of the immune system, including individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Household contacts of such persons should not be vaccinated.

For individuals with immunosuppression (eg, leukemia, lymphomas of any type, generalized malignancy, solid organ transplantation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cellular or humoral immunity disorders, agammaglobulinemia, or other malignant neoplasms affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic systems), or household contacts of such individuals.2 During pregnancy, suspected pregnancy, or to household contacts of pregnant women.

Contraindications for Smallpox Emergency

There are no absolute contraindications regarding vaccination of a person with a high-risk exposure to smallpox.2 Persons at greatest risk for experiencing serious vaccination complications are often those at greatest risk for death from smallpox. If a relative contraindication to vaccination exists, the risk for experiencing serious vaccination complications must be weighed against the risks for experiencing a potentially fatal smallpox infection.2

PRECAUTIONS

General

The vial stopper contains dry natural rubber that may cause hypersensitivity reactions when handled by, or when the product is administered to, persons with known or possible latex sensitivity. After completion of the multiple-puncture vaccination, blot off any vaccine remaining on skin at vaccination site with clean, dry gauze or cotton.

The vaccine vial, its stopper, the needle to release the vacuum, the diluent syringe, the vented needle used for reconstitution, the bifurcated needle used for administration, and any gauze or cotton that came in contact with the vaccine should be burned, boiled, or autoclaved before disposal.

Individuals susceptible to adverse effects of vaccinia virus, eg, those with eczema, immunodeficiency states, including HIV infection, should be identified and measures taken to avoid contact with persons with active vaccination lesions. Contact spread of vaccinia from recently vaccinated military personnel has been reported7,8 (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Prevention of contact transmission of vaccinia

Vaccinia virus may be cultured from the site of primary vaccination beginning at the time of development of a papule (2 to 5 days after vaccination) until the scab separates from the skin lesion (14 to 21 days after vaccination). During this time, care must be taken to prevent spread of the virus to another area of the body or to another person. The vaccination site may be left uncovered or can be covered with a porous bandage, such as gauze, until the scab has separated and the underlying skin has healed. An occlusive bandage should not be routinely used. If a bandage is used to cover the vaccination site, it should be changed frequently (ie, every 1-2 days) to prevent maceration of the vaccination site secondary to fluid accumulation. No salves or ointments should be used on the vaccination site. Contaminated bandages should be placed in sealed plastic bags before disposal in the trash. Clothing or other cloth materials that have had contact with the site can be decontaminated with routine laundering in hot water with bleach.2 The vaccination site should be kept dry, although normal bathing can continue.2 Recently vaccinated healthcare workers should avoid contact with patients, particularly those with immunodeficiencies, until the scab has separated from the skin at the vaccination site. However, if continued contact with patients is essential and unavoidable, they may continue to have contact with patients, including those with immunodeficiencies, as long as the vaccination site is well covered and good hand-washing technique is maintained by the vaccinee. In this setting, a more occlusive dressing may be required. Semipermeable polyurethane dressings (eg, Opsite®) are effective barriers to vaccinia and recombinant vaccinia viruses. However, exudate may accumulate beneath the dressing, and care must be taken to prevent viral contamination when the dressing is removed. In addition, accumulation of fluid beneath the dressing may increase the maceration of the vaccination site. Accumulation of exudate may be decreased by first covering the vaccination with dry gauze, then applying the dressing over the gauze. The dressing should also be changed at least once a day. The most important measure to prevent inadvertent implantation and contact transmission from vaccinia vaccination is thorough hand washing after changing the bandage or after any other contact with the vaccination site.

Simultaneous administration with other live-virus vaccines

There are no data evaluating the simultaneous administration of smallpox vaccine with other live-virus vaccines.

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with smallpox vaccine. Smallpox vaccine should not be given to pregnant women in routine, non-emergency conditions. For emergency conditions, see CONTRAINDICATIONS - Contraindications for Smallpox Emergency and INDICATIONS AND USAGE - Use of Smallpox Vaccine in Response to Bioterrorism. On rare occasions, almost always after primary vaccination, vaccinia virus has been reported to cause fetal infection. Fetal vaccinia usually results in stillbirth or death of the infant shortly after delivery. Vaccinia vaccine is not known to cause congenital malformations.2

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether vaccine antigens or antibodies are excreted in human milk. This vaccine is not recommended for use in a nursing mother in non-emergency conditions. For use in emergency conditions, see CONTRAINDICATIONS - Contraindications for Smallpox Emergency.

Pediatric Use

Before the eradication of smallpox disease, smallpox vaccination was administered routinely during childhood. The vaccine is considered safe and effective in children. However, smallpox vaccine is not recommended for use in non-emergency situations and is contraindicated for infants <12 months in non-emergency situations.

Geriatric Use

There are no published data to support the use of this vaccine in geriatric populations. This vaccine is not recommended for use in geriatric populations in non-emergency conditions. For use in emergency conditions, see CONTRAINDICATION- Contraindications for Smallpox Emergency.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

A fever is common after vaccinia vaccination is administered. Up to 70% of children have one or more days of temperature >100° from 4 to 14 days after primary vaccination, and 15% to 20% have temperatures of >102°. After revaccination, 35% of children develop temperatures of >100°, and 5% have temperatures of >102°. Fever is less common in adults than children after vaccination or revaccination.2

Generalized rashes (erythematous, urticarial, nonspecific) and secondary pyogenic infections at the site of vaccine applications may occur. Rarely bullous erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) occurs.2

Inadvertent inoculation at other sites is the most frequent complication of vaccinia vaccination, usually resulting from autoinoculation of the vaccine virus transferred from the site of vaccination. The most common sites involved are the face, eyelid, nose, mouth, genitalia, and rectum. Accidental infection (autoinoculation) of the eye may result in blindness. Generalized vaccinia among persons without underlying illnesses is characterized by a vesicular rash of varying extent. The rash is generally self-limited and requires little or no therapy except among patients whose conditions appear to be toxic or who have serious underlying illnesses.2 Contact spread of vaccinia from recently vaccinated military personnel has been reported (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).7,8,9

More severe complications that may follow either primary vaccination or revaccination include: postvaccinial encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, encephalopathy, progressive vaccinia (vaccinia necrosum), and eczema vaccinatum. Such complications may result in severe disability, permanent neurological sequelae, and/or death.10,11 Although a rare event, approximately 1 death per million primary vaccinations and 1 death per 4 million revaccinations have occurred after vaccinia vaccination. Death is most often the result of postvaccinial encephalitis or progressive vaccinia.2, 12 Death has also been reported in unvaccinated contacts of individuals who have been vaccinated.12

The risk of complications associated with revaccination is low. Complications have occurred, especially in patients with underlying diseases or in patients receiving therapy which impairs immunologic competence, or in subjects who have not been vaccinated for many years. Subjects who have not been vaccinated for many years may respond as primary vaccinees as regards both the local and systemic reaction to vaccine administration and risk of occurrence of the above-mentioned serious complications.2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can assist physicians in the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected complications of vaccinia (smallpox) vaccination. Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) is indicated for certain complications of smallpox vaccination. Several antiviral compounds have been shown to have activity against vaccinia virus or other orthopoxviruses in vitro and in animal models. However, insufficient information exists on which to base recommendations for any antiviral compound to treat postvaccination complications or Orthopoxvirus infections, including smallpox.2 If VIG is needed or additional information is required, physicians should contact the CDC at (404) 639-3670, Monday through Friday 8AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time; at other times call (404) 639-2888. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has established the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to accept all reports of suspected adverse events of any vaccine. The VAERS toll-free number for VAERS forms and information is (800-822-7967).

Interpretation of Responses:

The vaccination site should be inspected 6 to 8 days after vaccination. Two types of responses have been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Smallpox.3 They are: 1) major reaction, indicating that virus replication has taken place and vaccination was successful; or 2) equivocal reaction, indicating a possible consequence of immunity capable of suppressing viral multiplication or allergic reactions to an inactive vaccine with production of immunity.

Major Reaction

Major reaction is defined as a vesicular or pustular lesion or an area of definite palpable induration or congestion surrounding a central lesion that might be a crust or an ulcer. The inoculation site becomes reddened and pruritic 3-4 days after vaccination. A vesicle surrounded by a red areola then forms, which becomes umbilicated and then pustular the 7th to 11th day after vaccination, and the pustule begins to dry, the redness subsides, and the lesion usually becomes crusted between the 14th and 21st days. By the end of approximately the third week, the scab falls off, leaving a permanent scar, which at first is pink in color but eventually becomes flesh-colored (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).2 Primary vaccination may be accompanied by fever, regional lymphadenopathy, and malaise persisting for a few days.

Revaccination is considered successful if a vesicular or pustular lesion is present or an area of definite palpable induration or congestion surrounding a central lesion, which may be a scar or ulcer, is present on examination 6-8 days after revaccination.3 Major reactions, especially when there has been an interval of many years since the last successful vaccination, may be accompanied by fever, regional lymphadenopathy, and malaise persisting for a few days.

Equivocal Reaction

Equivocal reactions are defined as all responses other than major reactions.3 If an equivocal reaction is observed, vaccination procedures should be checked and vaccination repeated with vaccine from another vial or vaccine lot, if available. If a repeat vaccination by using vaccine from another vial or vaccine lot fails to produce a major reaction, healthcare providers should consult CDC or their state or local health department before giving another vaccination.2

Manufactured by:
®Wyeth Laboratories
A Wyeth-Ayerst Company
Marietta, PA 17547 USA
U.S. Govt. Lic. No. 3
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Last Updated: 11/6/2002