Smallpox was feared for centuries because it caused serious illness, scarring, and even death. After a successful public health vaccination campaign in 1980, medical experts claimed the disease had been eradicated.
But concern about smallpox is rising once again, because of its possible use as a bio-terrorist weapon. And while the federal government believes that inoculating healthcare workers and instituting a mass inoculation program for all Americans is the solution, some believe that the risks associated with the smallpox vaccination are too great.
For example, one or two individuals per million will die from the vaccination and others will develop serious side effects like encephalitis. In addition, the vaccine can overwhelm the immune system–which is of particular importance to those who are HIV-positive or are cancer survivors. And with the government’s plan to inoculate healthcare workers, HIV and cancer patients could become seriously ill just by being in contact with those who have been vaccinated–even though they do not have the disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the following people should not receive the vaccine unless they have been exposed to the virus: pregnant women; people with skin conditions–especially eczema; and people with weakened immune systems, such as those who have received a transplant, are HIV-positive or are receiving treatment for cancer.
For further information, contact the CDC’s national immunization hotline-(800) 232-2522 (English) and (800) 232-0233 (Spanish).