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A
Weakened Immune System Means
You Should Not Get Smallpox Vaccine
(Article applies to
compromised immune systems in our pets too)
Article courtesy of Center
for Disease Control
The smallpox vaccine is made from a live
virus related to smallpox called vaccinia (not smallpox virus). The
vaccine stimulates the immune system to react against the vaccinia virus,
and develop immunity to it. Immunity to vaccinia also provides immunity to
smallpox. For most people, live virus vaccines are safe and effective.
However, people with immune system problems usually are advised to avoid
live virus vaccines because their immune systems may not be able to stop
the growth of the virus in their bodies. In the case of the smallpox
vaccine, while the risk for severe complications for someone with a
weakened immune system is unknown, there have been cases of serious
reactions to the vaccine. Someone with a weakened immune system might
develop a widespread, severe, vaccinia rash (generalized vaccinia), or
ongoing severe skin destruction at the vaccination site (progressive
vaccinia/vaccinia necrosum).
- Individuals with suppressed
immune systems should not get the smallpox vaccine.
- Individuals who are undergoing,
or have recently undergone, medical treatment that can weaken their
immune system should not get the smallpox vaccine.
- Individuals in close physical
contact with someone who falls into these categories should not get
smallpox vaccine because of the risk it poses to that close
contact. Close contacts include anyone living in your household or
anyone you have close physical contact with such as a sex partner.
What are some illnesses that can
weaken the immune system?
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Primary Immune Deficiency disorders
(such as Common Variable Immune Deficiency)
- Humoral (antibody) immunity problems
(such as agammaglobulinemia or lack of normal antibodies)
- Some people with severe autoimmune
diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may have
significant immune system suppression
What else could cause a
weakened immune system?
Immunosuppressive medications or other treatments such as:
- High-dose oral or intravenous steroid
therapy for 2 weeks or longer within the past month. (For example,
with prednisone, =2mg/kg per day for 2 weeks or longer within the past
month is considered immunosuppressive.)
- Cancer chemotherapy agents within the
past 3 months
- Radiation therapy within the past 3
months.
- Organ or bone marrow transplant
- Medications that suppress the immune
system, including steroids, some drugs for autoimmune disease, or
drugs taken in association with an organ or bone marrow transplant
(consult your health care provider)
If you have questions about any
of the above conditions, please consult your health care provider before
being vaccinated.
Note: This information can be
applied to our precious pets too! Learn more about the importance of
a healthy immune system in our library,
where you will find an
abundance of educational articles and free eBooks to download.
Click
here
to download free eBook on the 'Synopsis of Transfer Factor Plus' and how
transfer factors boost and support a healthy immune system in us and our
pets.
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