New Smallpox Vaccine Licensed

FDA recently licensed a new smallpox vaccine called ACAM2000 which is made by Acambis Inc. This new vaccine is not available for routine use, but will be stored in the country's Strategic National Stockpile. It could be used to inoculate people at high risk of smallpox exposure during a bioterrorist attack.

ACAM2000 is derived from the Dryvax smallpox vaccine, which is no longer made and in limited supply. The new vaccine is made with modern cell culture technology, which allows the vaccine to be produced on a large scale with more consistent quality.

The new vaccine was studied in two populations: those who'd never been vaccinated for smallpox and those who'd been vaccinated many years before. The percentage of unvaccinated people who had a successful immunization reaction was similar to that of the older vaccine. The new vaccine was also found to be acceptable as a booster for those previously vaccinated for smallpox.

Because the new vaccine contains live vaccinia virus, vaccinated people must be careful not to spread the virus from the inoculation site to other parts of their body or to other people. People who receive the vaccine must be given a Medication Guide that explains how to care for the vaccination site properly and lists the serious side effects that can occur.

FDA Patient Safety News: November 2007

For more information, please see our website:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/psn/transcript.cfm?show=69#1

Category:

Education

Tags:

• smallpox
• vaccine
• bioterrorism

[MrJoshcrimson]

i have a fucking huge scar now and im in the military Fuck YOU USFDA

[serginater]

Leaves a nasty scar if they don't get the dosage right.

[okinawaqueen]

I'm willing, yes even for 45 days. Can someone out there please help me get this smallpox vaccine?!? Any military folks out there who work in the vaccination office? I'm desperate!!

[jaredandkyleigh]

@okinawaqueen - It's a pain in the ass for 45 days. You don't want one if you can spare it. Boosters needed every year for the first three years. After that, once every 5.

[okinawaqueen]

Can someone please give me the smallpox vaccine? I want to travel this summer. PLEASE?!?

[clccdc]

That is great that we are prepared in case of an attack using biological warfare. The fact that the vaccine can be reproduced quickly is so comforting.

[Whiterhin018]

why the fuck do people get vaccinated for a disease that was erradicated 40 years ago?...The taliban does not have access to bioweapons

[madisonelectronic]

Terrorists should be warned the response to a bacterial attack will be a nuclear holocaust in their sponsoring countries. Including Mecca if they are islamic assholes. One small nuclear warhead for Mecca reducing the place to a burned out glass shithole.

[MeanT241985]

This itched like a mother fucker

[clausthalerstudentin]

caution! this is propaganda!