Our publications keep professionals working across the public, private, and academic sectors informed on the most important developments and issues in health security and biosecurity.
Find an article or report by keywords:
Biosecur Bioterror 2003;1(1):53-54
Full article as PDF
Smallpox vaccine is a live-virus vaccine composed of vaccinia virus—a virus closely related to the causative agent of smallpox, variola major.
Immunization with vaccinia virus causes a localized, self-limited infection that elicits an immune response which confers immunity to future infections with the related smallpox virus.
Exactly how long and to what extent immunity to smallpox infection lasts after vaccination is uncertain. The current hypothesis, based on epidemiologic data, is that an increased level of protection against smallpox persists for at least three years after primary vaccination and substantial but waning immunity may persist for ?10 years.
Our Mission
To protect people’s health from epidemics and disasters and ensure that communities are resilient to major challenges.
Copyright © Johns Hopkins University | Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | Site map | Site search