Trevor James
Smallpox is a deadly and highly contagious disease caused by the variola virus. While it was eradicated through a global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization between 1958 and 1977, the vaccine is still being produced for research and to guard against bioterrorism, biological warfare, and mpox. The US military continues to vaccinate against smallpox, especially for special operations troops who may be at risk. The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for administering vaccines to military personnel based on their occupation, deployment location, and mission requirements. The licensed smallpox vaccine in the US is called ACAM2000, and it is delivered in the upper arm by pricking the skin 15 times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the military still vaccinate against smallpox? | Yes |
| Which vaccine is used? | ACAM2000 |
| Who manufactures the vaccine? | Acambis |
| How is the vaccine administered? | The vaccine is delivered in the upper arm by pricking the top layer of skin 15 times. |
| Is the vaccine safe? | Yes, but it has a high rate of serious adverse effects |
| Who is the vaccine available to? | The vaccine is available to those at high risk of exposure to smallpox |
| Who administers the vaccine to military personnel? | The Department of Defense (DoD) |
| On what basis are vaccines administered to military personnel? | Military occupation, location of deployment, and mission requirements |
| Is the vaccine licensed? | Yes, it is licensed in the U.S. |
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What You'll Learn
The smallpox vaccine is still administered to military personnel
The US military's decision to maintain smallpox vaccination for its personnel is influenced by several factors. Firstly, the Department of Defense (DoD) has a responsibility to protect its personnel from infectious diseases, especially in high-risk environments. Military vaccination decisions are based on factors such as the specific military occupation, the location of deployment, and the requirements of the mission. Special operations troops, for example, may be at a higher risk of exposure to smallpox, necessitating their vaccination.
Additionally, the smallpox vaccine plays a critical role in guarding against potential biological warfare agents and bioterrorism. After the September 11 attacks, governments, including the US, began rebuilding their vaccine stockpiles out of concern for bioterrorism. The US military's smallpox vaccination efforts align with this proactive approach to national security.
The licensed smallpox vaccine in the US is called ACAM2000, which was approved for medical use in 2007. It is delivered in the upper arm by pricking the top layer of the skin 15 times, providing protection to about 95% of recipients within 5 to 10 days. While routine smallpox vaccination is no longer performed on the general public, the military's continued administration of the vaccine to its personnel underscores the unique risks and challenges faced by those serving in the armed forces.
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The Department of Defense (DoD) administers 17 different vaccines
Smallpox is a contagious and deadly disease caused by the variola virus. It can be spread through prolonged face-to-face contact, direct contact with infected body fluids, or contaminated objects. The US military has previously offered the smallpox vaccine to its personnel, particularly those at high risk of exposure, such as special operations troops. The licensed vaccine, ACAM2000, is delivered by pricking the top layer of the skin in the upper arm 15 times.
The availability of vaccines to military personnel is crucial for their health and readiness. The DoD's Special Immunizations Program (SIP) provides vaccines to individuals with a high occupational risk, including laboratory workers and certain military response teams. However, the acquisition process and financial resource allocation within the DoD have been criticized for contributing to the unavailability of some vaccines.
To address these concerns, the DoD utilizes immunization tracking systems, such as MEDPROS, to monitor the immunization status and health of troops. These systems provide valuable data and educational resources to ensure soldiers and commanders are informed about vaccinations and can maintain the health and readiness of their units.
While the DoD administers a range of vaccines, the specific vaccines offered may vary over time. The DoD works to improve vaccine acquisition and availability to protect military personnel from infectious disease threats.
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The military vaccination process and precautions to be taken
The US military vaccination process and the precautions to be taken are outlined by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Joint Instruction on Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis. The DoD administers 17 different vaccines to military personnel based on their occupation, deployment location, and mission requirements. The DoD also follows the recommendations of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for issuing vaccination standing orders.
The smallpox vaccine, for example, is one that has been previously administered to military personnel, particularly those in special operations who are at risk of exposure. The licensed vaccine in the US is called ACAM2000 and is delivered in the upper arm by pricking the top layer of the skin 15 times. Precautions for the smallpox vaccine include rigorous handwashing and wearing a bandage and long sleeves to cover the vaccination site to prevent spreading the vaccine virus to intimate partners.
The DoD's Standing Orders program authorises non-physician health professionals (NPHP) to administer certain vaccines without a physician's pre-screening examination. This includes federally recommended vaccines in settings such as hospitals, medical facilities, and pharmacies. However, a physician must still be available to respond to medical emergencies during vaccine administration.
During mass vaccination exercises, the military ensures masking, social distancing, group size limitations, and other appropriate precautions. Compliance with vaccination administration is monitored through systems like the Medical Readiness Reporting System (MRRS) for the influenza vaccine. Refusal to receive certain mandatory vaccines, such as the seasonal influenza vaccination, may result in punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and/or administrative action.
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The smallpox vaccine is licensed in the US as ACAM2000
Smallpox is a serious, highly contagious, and often fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) certified the eradication of naturally occurring smallpox disease in 1980. However, due to heightened concerns over bioterrorism, the development of a new smallpox vaccine became a priority.
The smallpox vaccine licensed in the US is called ACAM2000. It is a ""second-generation"" smallpox vaccine derived from a clone of Dryvax, the previous vaccine used in the global eradication of smallpox. ACAM2000 is manufactured by Emergent Product Development Gaithersburg, Inc. and was approved by the FDA in August 2007. It replaced Dryvax for all smallpox vaccinations in February 2008.
ACAM2000 is different from traditional vaccines in its administration. Instead of a typical "shot," 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. This method is known as scarification and causes a localized infection or "pock" to form. A successful vaccination is indicated by a red, itchy sore spot at the vaccination site within 3-4 days.
The vaccine is made from a live vaccinia virus, which is related to smallpox but causes a milder disease. ACAM2000 cannot cause smallpox as it does not contain the smallpox virus itself. However, careful attention to the vaccination site is crucial to prevent the vaccinia virus from spreading to other parts of the body or to other people.
The US military administers various vaccines to personnel based on their occupation, deployment location, and mission requirements. While there is no specific mention of the ACAM2000 vaccine, the military has previously provided smallpox vaccines to special operations troops and certain military response teams at high risk for smallpox exposure.
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Bioterrorism, biological warfare, and mpox
Bioterrorism, the intentional use of microbiological agents or their toxins as weapons, has been a reality for centuries. The unique qualities of biological warfare agents (BWAs) such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, or biological toxins, make them ideal for use in warfare. The US military has long recognized the importance of vaccination in protecting its personnel from infectious diseases. The Department of Defense (DoD) administers 17 different vaccines to military personnel based on their occupation, deployment location, and mission requirements.
Smallpox, a contagious and deadly disease caused by the variola virus, is one such infectious disease threat. While there is a licensed smallpox vaccine called ACAM2000, it is no longer available to DoD personnel, leaving them vulnerable to potential biological warfare agents. Special operations troops at risk of exposure to smallpox must arrange for the transfer of the vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the DoD.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox due to its initial discovery in lab cases in primates, is a vaccine-preventable disease that has recently emerged as a global health crisis. In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with tens of thousands of cases worldwide, including 30,000 in the United States alone. The virus, known to spread from small wild animals to people, particularly children, has evolved to spread rapidly across borders, affecting 24 African countries as of 2025.
The global response to the mpox crisis has been criticized as falling dangerously short, despite pledges of financial support. The challenges began early, as the WHO had not approved the mpox vaccine when the public health emergency was declared. As of 2025, only about 886,000 people in a dozen African countries have been vaccinated, with just over 3 million doses delivered to the continent. This situation underscores the importance of proactive measures and global collaboration in addressing emerging infectious diseases and preventing their escalation into full-blown crises.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the military continues to vaccinate against smallpox.
Smallpox is a highly contagious and deadly disease. It can be spread through face-to-face contact, direct contact with infected body fluids, or contaminated objects. The military administers the vaccine based on occupation, location of deployment, and mission requirements.
The smallpox vaccine licensed in the US is called ACAM2000. It is delivered in the upper arm by pricking the top layer of the skin 15 times.
The smallpox vaccine provides protection to about 95% of people within 5 to 10 days of the first dose.
Yes, there can be serious adverse effects from the smallpox vaccine. Among US military service members vaccinated between December 2002 and March 2003, there were 18 cases of probable myopericarditis, resulting in an incidence rate of 7.8 per 100,000.
