Smallpox Vaccination of Laboratory Workers at US Variola Testing Sites

Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Aug;21(8):1437-9. doi: 10.3201/eid2108.140956.

Abstract

To evaluate the need to revaccinate laboratory workers against smallpox, we assessed regular revaccination at the US Laboratory Response Network's variola testing sites by examining barriers to revaccination and the potential for persistence of immunity. Our data do not provide evidence to suggest prolonging the recommended interval for revaccination.

Keywords: laboratories; smallpox; smallpox vaccine; vaccinia; variola; viruses.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Warfare Agents
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Secondary / statistics & numerical data*
  • Immunization, Secondary / trends
  • Medical Laboratory Personnel*
  • Occupational Health
  • Smallpox / pathology
  • Smallpox / prevention & control*
  • Smallpox / transmission
  • Smallpox Vaccine / immunology
  • Smallpox Vaccine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Biological Warfare Agents
  • Smallpox Vaccine