Cutaneous responses to vaccinia in individuals with previous smallpox vaccination
EL Simpson, M Hercher, EK Hammarlund… - Journal of the American …, 2007 - Elsevier
The durability of immune responses to smallpox vaccine is a subject of considerable debate.
We compared cutaneous vaccinia responses in patients vaccinated in the distant past with
vaccine-naïve individuals using serial close-up photographs. The previously vaccinated
group had a significantly reduced time course and milder cutaneous reactions. Vaccinated
individuals appear to maintain clinically detectable immunity against vaccinia for at least 20
years after smallpox vaccination.
We compared cutaneous vaccinia responses in patients vaccinated in the distant past with
vaccine-naïve individuals using serial close-up photographs. The previously vaccinated
group had a significantly reduced time course and milder cutaneous reactions. Vaccinated
individuals appear to maintain clinically detectable immunity against vaccinia for at least 20
years after smallpox vaccination.