What was the vaccine we had as kids that left a scar?

[Antonia]

Remember the vaccine we had as kids (if your in your 40's you probably had it) that left a scab on your arm that eventually fell off and left a scar. Was that small pox vaccine?

 

[gina2000]

Yes. But I didn't scar.

 

[LucyStorm]

That was the smallpox vaccine. Unfortunately, we have all probably lost our immunity from that vaccine.

 

[amid chaos]

They had to give it to me three times because it wasn't doing what it was supposed to. Twice on the arms and one on my hip.

 

[Lynn CC]

My mom told me that was a booster shot.

It sure is ugly, isn't it?

So, was that the small pox vaccine?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, that was the small pox vaccine. My DD is the last in our family to have gotten it. Our DS was born in 1975, so they stopped it my then.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I still have that scar. And yes, it was small pox. I haven't heard if they still think it gives immunity or not.

 

[browneyes]

They stopped requiring babies to have it in my area about 3 months before I was born. When I was a little girl, my brothers used to tell me I was found on the front steps because they and my parents had the same scar and I didn't.

Yes, it ws the small pox vaccine. I believe the scar is about the same size of a car cigarette lighter. With several tiny little holes inside the circle.

 

[EROS]

Carol, the old vaccinations cannot assure sufficient immunity from smallpox. However, previously vaccinated people appear to suffer fewer side effects from re-vaccination .......

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Thanks Eros.

I am a health care worker so I don't know if I fall in a group to get the shot or not. I have heard that the side effects can be bad. Glad to know mine might not be as bad.

 

[dumboiu]

Originally posted by EROS
Carol, the old vaccinations cannot assure sufficient immunity from smallpox. However, previously vaccinated people appear to suffer fewer side effects from re-vaccination .......

Just out of curiosity, EROS..........is the statement you made really acurate???? What is the sample size of re-vaccinated people (that your statement is based on)? How is the current vaccine different from the ones given in the past? What is the probability of creating a more virulent strain of smallpox? Inquiring minds want to know..............

 

[EROS]

Hi Dumboiu, always nice to see you here. .

Great questions as usual, but I'm DEFINITELY not a microbiologist. The data which is available suggests that immunization provides complete coverage for 3-5 years, after which immunity "gradually" decreases. Since smallpox was eradicated, it's difficult to really assess how much conferred immunity previous vaccination recipients actually have; obviously, we're not about to attempt research which infects healthy volunteers who were previously immunized!!!!!

As you know,we're talking about a Live vaccine which contains the vaccinia virus. Up to 1 out of every 100 people vaccinated can experience mild symptoms. The CDC estimates that the incidence of death with vaccinations is probably 1 or 2 out of 1,000,000.

Groups who should NOT be vaccinated include:

Pregnant women
Breastfeeding women
Those with impaired immunity (HIV or cancer treatment)
Those with a history of eczema or atopic dermatitis
children under 1 year of age.

That's about all that I know

 

[JulesMom]

Luckily I didn't get a scar

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by EROS
Carol, the old vaccinations cannot assure sufficient immunity from smallpox. However, previously vaccinated people appear to suffer fewer side effects from re-vaccination .......

I got the smallpox vaccination at 5 years old (and the scar to show for it.) At 16 years old, I received the smallpox vaccine every month for a year and got no other scars or reactions. I'm sure many are wondering why I got revaccinated 12 times. Back in the 1960's they "thought" that getting the smallpox vaccination could help those who were plagued with fever blisters. It didn't work (was dangerous) and was discontinued. See: http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000205/p0000205.asp

Bev

 

[glo]

I got my vaccine before I left Cuba and entered the US in 1968. I have a mega scare on my left arm

 

[Mouseteacher]

I assume I received the vaccine in the early 50s. I have no scar.

 

[Poohbear123]

I never recieved this Vacine, and doubt very well I will get the shot......I was ALWAYS sick when I was to receive it, and the Doc. never gave it to me.

 

[SonjaB]

Got the vaccine and the lovely scar.

 

[Keli]

Thankfully in the area I was from as a child they were using a single needle for the smallpox vacination so I didn't get a scar. I was wondering if the chickenpox vacination they are giving to children will only last a few years also? If that's true won't we have a terrible problem with adults getting the disease in 20-30 years? I know the complications are much more prevelant in adults than children that catch them.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I was born 1963 and have a huge scar on my hip. As described before, it is the size of a car cigarette lighter and tons of little dots in it. I always thought it was a booster, but my parents said it was for smallpox.