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. 2003 Sep;9(9):1131-7.
doi: 10.1038/nm917. Epub 2003 Aug 17.

Duration of antiviral immunity after smallpox vaccination

Erika Hammarlund  1 , Matthew W Lewis, Scott G Hansen, Lisa I Strelow, Jay A Nelson, Gary J Sexton, Jon M Hanifin, Mark K Slifka
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Free article

Duration of antiviral immunity after smallpox vaccination

Erika Hammarlund et al. Nat Med. 2003 Sep.
Free article

Abstract

Although naturally occurring smallpox was eliminated through the efforts of the World Health Organization Global Eradication Program, it remains possible that smallpox could be intentionally released. Here we examine the magnitude and duration of antiviral immunity induced by one or more smallpox vaccinations. We found that more than 90% of volunteers vaccinated 25-75 years ago still maintain substantial humoral or cellular immunity (or both) against vaccinia, the virus used to vaccinate against smallpox. Antiviral antibody responses remained stable between 1-75 years after vaccination, whereas antiviral T-cell responses declined slowly, with a half-life of 8-15 years. If these levels of immunity are considered to be at least partially protective, then the morbidity and mortality associated with an intentional smallpox outbreak would be substantially reduced because of pre-existing immunity in a large number of previously vaccinated individuals.

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Comment in

  • Keeping the lock on smallpox.
    Weiner DB. Weiner DB. Nat Med. 2003 Sep;9(9):1115-6. doi: 10.1038/nm0903-1115. Nat Med. 2003. PMID: 12949522 No abstract available.

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