Just because I don’t think enough people in the age group to have received smallpox vaccinations when we were kids know this, I thought I would pass it on.
From the CDC:
How long does a smallpox vaccination last?
Past experience indicates that the first dose of the vaccine offers protection from smallpox for 3 to 5 years, with decreasing immunity thereafter. If a person is vaccinated again later, immunity lasts longer.
As Lewis Black, one of my favorite comedians, says about his smallpox vaccination … “It wore the f*ck off!”
You know, I am really glad you posted this. In my Osteology class today we were talking about paleoepidemiology and the smallpox outbreaks in the Ohio River Valley during the 1830′s (I think that is the time frame-definitely pre-Civil War). I forwarded the information onto my professor who found it very interesting
I’ve known about this for a while, but some of my friends recently watched the Lewis Black show where he totally rips the government on things like Duck and Cover and smallpox vaccinations that don’t last forever. They thought he was lying about it to be funny. Nope.
I have read other reports that say it lasts 5-10 years, but I usually take the CDC’s word on things. It really doesn’t matter. Mine, gotten in 1971, has definitely worn the f*ck off. Since they haven’t been required and mostly not given at all since 1972, I’d say no one has any vaccinated immunity anymore except those in the military and health professionals who recently got it, and as we speak … their’s are wearing the f*ck off too.
Black’s little rant was how about the government knew this and never said anything. This is true. During all the “OMG!!! SMALLPOX!!!” news reports we have had since 9/11, I have never heard anyone publicly say “Hey, you know those of you who have been vaccinated? Not going to help you.” So I am not surprised more people don’t know this fact, which is a shame, because it gives them a false sense of not having to worry about it.
Not that I tend to worry about smallpox, but you know, it’s nice to know if there was an outbreak, I could get it rather than thinking I was hunky dory.