Smallpox Vaccine Risky For Some

[Health Dr. 2]

Smallpox Vaccine Risky for Some
Robert Preidt

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDayNews) -- People who have certain skin disorders or
weakened immune systems, or are taking high-dose corticosteroids may face
increased risk if they get the live-virus smallpox vaccine, says a report in
the January issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

The report was prepared by the Joint Task Force on Smallpox Vaccination for
Allergists.

"The current smallpox vaccine has been licensed by the Food and Drug
Administration and had, in the past, been given safely to millions of
individuals," report author Dr. Daniel Ein said in a prepared statement.

"In the event of a terrorism attack or exposure, the risk of having serious
vaccination complications must be weighed against the risks of experiencing
a potentially fatal smallpox infection," he said.

The report said that the smallpox vaccine poses the greatest risk to people
with active exfoliative conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis or
those with a history of such skin disorders. Also at increased risk are
people who are immunosuppressed and those who have a serious allergy to any
component of the vaccine.

"Patients with atopic dermatitis are at a greater risk of contracting
vaccinia infections, and also of spreading the virus, than are persons with
healthy skin. Mortality rates among those with atopic dermatitis are likely
to be highest in children younger than 5 years," Ein said.

"Since one of the primary immunologic protective mechanisms to the virus is
cell-mediated (T-cell) immunity, patients with compromised immune response
may be more susceptible to smallpox vaccine complications," he added.

People should not receive the smallpox vaccine if their spouses, children or
other people in the household have weakened immune systems, the report said.
That's because people who have received the smallpox vaccine can transmit
the virus to other people via intimate contact.