Smallpox Vaccinations

Fiona59 · Dec 27, 2014

I don't remember Smallpox vaccine being used on the general population after the 1970s. I had it as part of my school shots as a child in the late 60s and then never again. It wasn't a pleasant experience. I think WHO declared it as eradicated disease in the 70s.

Just remember a bubble, a prick and a swollen arm.

Christy1019, ASN, RN · Dec 27, 2014

Just out of curiosity, why did the vaccine leave that dime sized white scar? At least that's where my parents say those scars came from?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 28, 2014

The vaccine caused a scab which for some reason needed to be protected until it fell off. When it did- the scar. I got mine in 1960. My sister got hers the next year, except on her hip where it wouldn't show. I wear mine proudly on my left shoulder in honor of an eradicated pestilence!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2014

The vaccine site needed to be covered because you could infect someone with smallpox until the scab fell off. It required 15 pokes with a bifurcated needle dipped in the live vaccine in a circular pattern...hence the dime sized scar.

I got mine lined up in school with a "Jet injector" leaving a circular scar on the circumference with a slightly raised center.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 28, 2014

The scar is because it's a live vaccine that causes a pox blister much larger than a chicken pox but scabbed over and fell off. Covering the site, if I recall correctly, was to prevent transmission of the live virus. It was a standard vaccination through June 1972 when it tapered off. It was no longer given when I was born but friends and colleagues have the indented scar. The scar is similar to chicken pox scars but often larger and deeper. It was a series of small pricks and a blister resulted from the inoculation.

From the CDC:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/

I was born just after the disease was considered eradicated eliminating routine vaccination. Grade school/high school/college classmates born only a couple of months earlier received the vaccination and have the scar to prove it.

Now it is only given in response to a verified bio terroristic threat and according to the CDC each state doh has a stockpile of vaccination to administer to all citizens/residents.

1highlandslad · Dec 28, 2014

It's nice to hear from our fellow recrepiants of the smallpox vaccine, but does anyone know anyone who actually performed the procedure? Several years ago P_RN stated in a post that she had administered many hundreds of smallpox vaccinations. In the post she indicated that the outcome of her incertions varied markedly from individual to individual. I would find it interesting to hear from someone like her if they have any knowledge why the size, placement, and even number of scars varies to such a large extent. One would think there would be a set standard.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Dec 28, 2014

Thanks for the 1972 time frame. It greatly explains why my husband and sister (born 6 months apart in 1969 and 1970 respectively) have scars and I don't (born in 1974)

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 29, 2014

It's nice to hear from our fellow recrepiants of the smallpox vaccine, but does anyone know anyone who actually performed the procedure? Several years ago P_RN stated in a post that she had administered many hundreds of smallpox vaccinations. In the post she indicated that the outcome of her incertions varied markedly from individual to individual. I would find it interesting to hear from someone like her if they have any knowledge why the size, placement, and even number of scars varies to such a large extent. One would think there would be a set standard.

Human variation plus differences in administration. Read the CDC link above. It explains the varied reactions and different methods over the years. Some were manual with a two pronged sharp repeatedly dipped in the inoculation. Others were done using the device shown above. Some people reacted more significantly than others just like some get a fever or soreness post TDaP and others do not.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2014

It's nice to hear from our fellow recrepiants of the smallpox vaccine, but does anyone know anyone who actually performed the procedure? Several years ago P_RN stated in a post that she had administered many hundreds of smallpox vaccinations. In the post she indicated that the outcome of her incertions varied markedly from individual to individual. I would find it interesting to hear from someone like her if they have any knowledge why the size, placement, and even number of scars varies to such a large extent. One would think there would be a set standard.

Hum....I'm actually to young for something. I would think it was a nurse....I know they always had a cap on a white dress, stocking and shoes. They always smelled....clean. Funny the things you remember.

I know that if the scab formed and there was not a significant scar some we put through the process again.

The set standard from my understanding was that they used a bifurcated needle and made repetitive poles dipping the needle into the vial. What I think of was the transmission of blood born diseases :confused: .

This is the link Beachy gave....Smallpox Vaccination - Vaccination Method

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[TD=width: 50%, align: left][h=1]Step-by-Step Instructions[/h] [h=1]1. Skin Preparation: None[/h] No skin preparation is required.

[COLOR=#FF0000]Under no circumstances should alcohol be applied to the skin prior to vaccination as it has been shown to inactivate the vaccine virus. [h=1]2. Dip Needle[/h] The needle is dipped into the vaccine vial and withdrawn. The needle is designed to hold a minute drop of vaccine of sufficient size and strength to ensure a take if properly administered.

Consult the package insert for the number of bifurcated needle insertions to use in administering the vaccine for primary or revaccinations. [h=1]3. Perpendicular Insertions (15 for all vaccinees) should be made within a 5mm Diameter Area[/h] The needle is held perpendicular to the site of insertion. The wrist of the vaccinator should be maintained in a firm position (*) by resting on the arm of the vaccinee.

The perpendicular insertions are given in rapid order in an area no larger than 5 mm in diameter.

Strokes should be vigorous enough to evoke a trace of blood at the site after 15-30 seconds.

The bifurcated needle is for single usage only and should be discarded in an appropriate biohazard container immediately after vaccinating each patient.

Caution: Needles should never be dipped into the vaccine vial more than once, in order to avoid contamination of the vial. [h=1]4. Absorb Excess Vaccine[/h] After vaccination, excess vaccine should be absorbed with sterile gauze. Discard the gauze in a safe manner (usually in a hazardous waste receptacle) in order not to contaminate the site or infect others who may come in contact with it. [h=1]5. Cover Vaccination Site[/h] It is important that the vaccination site be covered to prevent dissemination of virus. In addition, hands should always be washed immediately after touching the site or materials that contacted the site (dressings, clothing, etc.).

Recommended covering:

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[TD]Clean or sterile gauze loosely secured by tape (â€ )[/TD]

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[TD]Healthcare workers should cover the site with gauze and then a semi-permeable dressing during patient care activities. (Â) [/TD]

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[TD]Clothing that covers the site can provide added protection[/TD]

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[TD=width: 94%]Hypoallergenic tape should be used for people with tape allergies. [/TD]

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[TD=width: 94%]A semipermeable membrane occlusive dressing alone can result in a macerated vaccine site, prolonged irritation, and itching and may increase the risk of hand contamination from scratching or secondary bacterial infection. Dressings products that combine an absorbent base with an overlying semi-permeable layer can also be used. [/TD]

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[h=1]6. Caution Vaccinee and/or Guardian[/h] To avoid contact transmission of the virus, vaccinees and guardians must be cautioned:

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[TD]No rubbing or scratching of

vaccination site[/TD]

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[TD]Discard gauze carefully[/TD]

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[TD]Wash hands thoroughly after

handling gauze[/TD]

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For further information on preventing dissemination of virus, please visit the Preventing Contact Transmission page.

[h=1]Accidental Administration by Oral or Parenteral Route[/h] Ingestion and intramuscular injection of a dose of vaccine are NOT recommended routes of administration. However, no harm has been recorded from such events.

For further information please visit the Accidental Administration page.

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Fiona59 · Dec 29, 2014

School nurses did it. We just lined up and rolled up our sleeves and held the permission slip from our parents in the other hand. Everybody in the class had their shots and never remember anyone not going in.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 29, 2014

Interesting. My husband, born in 1970, did not get vaccinated for smallpox. For context, all my older sisters had the vaccine (65-68) and I did not (73).