
The recent outbreak of monkeypox has brought attention to the smallpox vaccine as a possible preventive measure. Monkeypox is an orthopoxvirus related to the smallpox virus, and there have been concerns about its spread since the cessation of the smallpox vaccination campaign in the 1980s. Studies suggest that prior smallpox vaccination can provide long-lasting immunity against monkeypox, reducing the risk of infection by 80.7%. The smallpox vaccine has been found to be effective in decreasing the risk of monkeypox infection, with lower infection rates observed in vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated ones. The JYNNEOS™ vaccine, made with a weakened live vaccinia virus, is FDA-approved for prevention in adults and those at high risk. It is typically administered in two doses, four weeks apart, and may be safely given to immunocompromised individuals. The ACAM2000® vaccine is another option but is associated with more serious adverse reactions. As the world navigates the ongoing monkeypox outbreak, further research and guidance are needed to determine the widespread use and effectiveness of smallpox vaccines in preventing monkeypox infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smallpox vaccination effectiveness against monkeypox | 80.7% efficacious in preventing monkeypox |
| Smallpox vaccination impact on monkeypox risk | Decreases the risk of monkeypox by 5.2-fold |
| Smallpox vaccination impact on monkeypox infection rates | Lower infection rates in the smallpox-vaccinated group than in the unvaccinated group |
| Smallpox vaccination impact on severe monkeypox infection | Effectively reduces the risk of severe monkeypox infection |
| Smallpox vaccination protection against monkeypox | Provides approximately 85% protection against monkeypox |
| Smallpox vaccination impact on monkeypox immunity | People previously vaccinated against smallpox have higher immunity |
| Smallpox vaccination safety | JYNNEOS is a safe option for immunocompromised individuals; ACAM2000 may cause myocarditis and pericarditis |
| Smallpox vaccination doses | JYNNEOS is typically administered as 2 doses, 4 weeks apart; ACAM2000 is a single dose |
| Smallpox vaccination timing | Booster doses may be recommended every 2 or 10 years for continued risk of exposure |
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What You'll Learn
- Smallpox vaccination reduces the risk of monkeypox by 5.2-fold
- Smallpox vaccination provides 80.7% protection against monkeypox
- JYNNEOS™ is a smallpox/monkeypox vaccine approved for people 18+ at high risk
- ACAM2000® is a smallpox/monkeypox vaccine with serious adverse reactions
- Smallpox vaccination offers long-lasting immunity against monkeypox

Smallpox vaccination reduces the risk of monkeypox by 5.2-fold
Smallpox vaccination reduces the risk of monkeypox infection by 5.2-fold. This conclusion is supported by several studies, including two cross-sectional studies from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) involving around 1800 monkeypox cases. These studies found that unvaccinated individuals had a significantly higher risk of contracting monkeypox compared to those who had been vaccinated against smallpox.
The smallpox vaccine has been found to offer long-lasting immunity against monkeypox, which is an orthopoxvirus closely related to smallpox. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the potential benefits of smallpox vaccination in providing protection against monkeypox, especially in high-risk individuals. This is particularly important given the recent increase in monkeypox cases globally and the shift in the affected demographic from young children to young adults.
The JYNNEOS™ vaccine, which is a weakened live vaccinia virus, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults aged 18 and older who are at high risk of infection. It is usually administered as two injections, four weeks apart, and has been shown to be safe and effective in providing protection against monkeypox.
While the smallpox vaccine offers significant protection, it is not a guarantee against monkeypox infection. The risk of infection is reduced by 5.2 times, but it does not eliminate the possibility entirely. Therefore, it is crucial to continue practicing other preventive measures, such as traditional illness prevention techniques, to combat the spread of monkeypox effectively.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that the smallpox vaccine was discontinued in the 1980s, leading to a decrease in protective immunity against monkeypox. The recent outbreak has highlighted the importance of vaccination and the need for further research to fully understand the cross-protection offered by the smallpox vaccine against monkeypox.
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Smallpox vaccination provides 80.7% protection against monkeypox
Smallpox vaccination has been found to provide 80.7% protection against monkeypox. This was discovered through a systematic review of 1068 relevant articles, which included 2083 participants. The review also found that the immunity provided by prior smallpox vaccination is long-lasting.
Several studies have shown that smallpox vaccination effectively reduces the risk of monkeypox infection. A study in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including 1800 monkeypox cases, found that unvaccinated participants had a 2.73 to 9.64-fold increased risk of monkeypox compared to vaccinated participants. Similarly, studies in the USA and Spain demonstrated that unvaccinated people were more prone to develop monkeypox than vaccinated people.
The smallpox vaccine is made using a weakened live vaccinia virus and cannot cause smallpox, monkeypox, or any other infectious disease. It is approved by the FDA for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults 18 years or older who are at high risk of infection. The vaccine is usually administered as a series of two injections, four weeks apart.
The smallpox vaccine has been found to be safe and effective, with fewer serious adverse events reported compared to those receiving the first smallpox vaccine. However, some side effects such as redness, soreness, swelling, and itching at the injection site may occur. Fatigue, headache, and muscle pain have also been reported in some cases.
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JYNNEOS™ is a smallpox/monkeypox vaccine approved for people 18+ at high risk
JYNNEOS™ is a two-dose smallpox and monkeypox vaccine developed to protect against mpox (monkeypox) and smallpox. The vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults aged 18 and older who are at high risk of infection. The CDC recommends the vaccine for certain laboratory workers and emergency response team members who may be exposed to orthopoxvirus infections.
The vaccine is given as a series of two injections, four weeks apart. The second dose should be administered as soon as possible if it has been longer than four weeks since the first dose. The vaccine can be administered subcutaneously, which means it is injected into the fat layer underneath the skin on the back of the upper arm. It can also be given intradermally, between the top layers of the skin, on the forearm or other areas such as the upper back or shoulder.
JYNNEOS™ is made using a weakened live vaccinia virus and cannot cause smallpox, monkeypox, or any other infectious disease. While the vaccine is effective in preventing these diseases, it may cause some common side effects. In healthy adults, the most common injection site reactions include pain, redness, swelling, induration (firmness at the injection site), and itching. The most common systemic adverse reactions are muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, and chills.
The effectiveness of the JYNNEOS™ vaccine has been evaluated in several studies. Data from case-control studies suggest that the vaccine's effectiveness against mpox ranges from 66-89% for the full two-dose vaccination. Additionally, studies have shown that smallpox vaccination decreases the risk of human monkeypox by 5.2-fold, indicating that prior smallpox vaccination can provide long-lasting immunity against monkeypox.
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ACAM2000® is a smallpox/monkeypox vaccine with serious adverse reactions
ACAM2000® is a prescription vaccine that can be used to prevent smallpox and monkeypox (mpox) disease in people of any age who are at high risk of contracting either disease. The vaccine is manufactured by Emergent Product Development Gaithersburg, Inc. and contains a live vaccinia virus, which is a "pox"-type virus related to smallpox but causes milder disease.
ACAM2000® is administered differently from most vaccinations. A two-pronged stainless steel (or bifurcated) needle is dipped into the vaccine solution and the skin is pricked several times in the upper arm with a droplet of the vaccine. A successful vaccination will result in a red, itchy sore spot at the site of vaccination within 3-4 days. A blister will then develop and dry up, forming a scab that falls off in the third week, leaving a small scar.
While ACAM2000® can help protect against smallpox and mpox, it is associated with serious adverse reactions. The live virus in the vaccine can spread from the vaccination site to other parts of the body or to other people through trauma, scratching, or incorrect disposal of the dressing. This can cause pock lesions at unwanted sites, most often on the face, eyelid, nose, anus, and mouth. Other adverse reactions include myocarditis and pericarditis (inflammation and swelling of the heart and surrounding tissues), encephalitis or myelitis, Bell's palsy, seizures, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Serious skin infections, such as eczema vaccinatum and progressive vaccinia, can also occur.
The risk of experiencing serious side effects from ACAM2000® must be weighed against the risk of contracting a potentially fatal smallpox or mpox infection. It is important for individuals to discuss their medical history and any concerns with their healthcare provider before receiving the vaccine.
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Smallpox vaccination offers long-lasting immunity against monkeypox
Further supporting this, two cross-sectional studies from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) found that unvaccinated participants had a 2.73 to 9.64-fold increased risk of contracting monkeypox compared to those who had been vaccinated against smallpox. Similarly, studies in the USA and Spain also demonstrated that unvaccinated individuals were more prone to develop monkeypox than those who had received the smallpox vaccine.
The smallpox vaccine's protective effects against monkeypox have been observed in multiple regions, including the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, indicating that the findings are globally representative. The vaccine's effectiveness is particularly notable given the recent increase in monkeypox cases and its spread beyond endemic areas.
JYNNEOS™ (also known as JYNNEOSTM or MVA) and ACAM2000® are the two FDA-approved vaccines for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox disease. JYNNEOS is a live virus vaccine containing a weakened, non-replicating orthopoxvirus, while ACAM2000 is a live, replicating vaccinia virus vaccine. JYNNEOS is typically administered in two doses, four weeks apart, while ACAM2000 is given as a single dose. However, it is important to note that ACAM2000 may cause serious side effects, including myocarditis and pericarditis, and has certain contraindications for specific individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
Studies suggest that the smallpox vaccine is 80.7% efficacious in preventing monkeypox and that prior vaccination provides long-lasting immunity. The smallpox vaccine decreases the risk of contracting monkeypox by 5.2-fold.
There are two FDA-approved vaccines for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. JYNNEOS is a two-dose vaccine that can be safely administered to immunocompromised individuals, while ACAM2000 is a single-dose vaccine that may cause serious side effects such as myocarditis and pericarditis.
JYNNEOS is typically administered as a series of two injections, four weeks apart. People who have previously received the smallpox vaccine may only require one dose. Booster doses may be recommended every two or ten years for those at continued risk of exposure.
You can find detailed information about the smallpox and monkeypox vaccines on the CDC website or by consulting your healthcare provider.

























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