EDITORIAL

Immunisation

Critical evaluation of smallpox vaccination for laboratory workers

S N Isaacs

University of Pennsylvania, Division of Infectious Diseases, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr S Isaacs, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Division of Infectious Diseases, 502 Johnson Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6073, USA;
isaacs@mail.med.upenn.edu

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An alternative view

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Keywords: vaccinia virus; smallpox vaccine; occupational vaccine

Abbreviations: CDR, cognitive drug research; OES, occupational exposure standard

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

As witnessed by the eradication of naturally occurring smallpox and near eradication of polio, vaccination against infectious diseases has been a true success story of medical science. The use of safe and efficacious vaccines to control highly contagious and morbid diseases extends to the occupational setting as well. When safe and effective vaccines are available, using them in an occupational setting to protect workers from diseases to which they may be exposed is obvious. This is clearly the case for protection of healthcare workers against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B. Animal handlers should also be vaccinated against rabies. These vaccines all target viral infections that are easily transmitted and/or result in serious illnesses. Similarly, if a laboratory worker handles a potential pathogen for which a safe and effective vaccine exists, in most cases vaccination is warranted.

Recently, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated their recommendations . . . [Full text of this article]

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