Vaccinia vaccine is used to immunise against smallpox, which is caused by the orthopoxvirus, variola. A 26-year-old laboratory worker was inoculating mice with vaccinia vaccine as part of research into cross-reactivity among poxviruses. This particular vaccine contained a live attenuated strain of vaccinia (Western Reserve). The laboratory worker had himself received vaccinia vaccine in 2004 because of the nature of his work. On this occasion, after inoculating two mice, he suffered a needlestick injury to the left index finger.
The full article is accessible to AMA
members and paid subscribers.
Login to MJA or subscribe now.
- Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT.
Correspondence: sanjaya.senanayake@act.gov.au
- 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Laboratory-acquired vaccinia exposures and infections — United States, 2005–2007. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008; 57: 401-404.
- 2. Cono J, Casey CG, Bell DM; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smallpox vaccination and adverse reactions. Guidance for clinicians. MMWR Recomm Rep 2003; 52: 1-28.
- 3. Smallpox in Birmingham. BMJ 1978; 2: 837.
Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.