Vaccination

Smallpox vaccination: history, application, side effects

Active immunization, or vaccination, is one of the most effective methods of preventing infectious diseases. One of the first vaccines to be created was the smallpox vaccine. In this article, we will look at the history of smallpox vaccine development, its uses, and side effects.

Story

In the 18th century, it was observed that people who had cowpox did not develop smallpox. In 1796, English physician Edward Jenner conducted an experiment that led to the creation of the first smallpox vaccine. He inoculated the boy with the contents of a smallpox vial from the hand of a woman infected with cowpox. A month and a half later, Jenner inoculated the child with material from a smallpox vesicle of a smallpox patient, and the boy did not get sick. This discovery marked the beginning of modern vaccination against smallpox.

Application

Vaccination against smallpox is currently carried out throughout the world. In Russia, a decree on compulsory smallpox vaccination was issued in 1919. Vaccinations are carried out only in medical institutions by doctors or paramedical personnel under the supervision of doctors. Primary vaccination of children is carried out in the first year of life, preferably at the age of 10-12 months. Subsequent vaccinations, or revaccinations, are given at ages 8 and 15 years, and then every 5-7 years. Workers of medical and disinfection institutions, personnel of ports, airports, hotels in cities through which international transport links pass are revaccinated every 3 years.

Side effects

Smallpox vaccination may be accompanied by a local and general reaction. On the 4-5th day, redness and swelling appear at the injection site, then a dense nodule (papule) forms, around which a narrow halo of inflamed skin appears. The temperature may rise to 37-37.5°. On the 6-7th day, liquid appears in the nodule - a bubble (vesicle) is formed, around which by the 8-9th day a second rim of redness appears. The contents of the vesicle become cloudy and purulent - a pustule (purulent vesicle) is formed. During this period, the temperature may rise to 38-39°, and general symptoms may also occur, such as headache, weakness, muscle and joint pain. However, these symptoms usually do not last long and go away on their own.

Rare but serious side effects of the smallpox vaccine can include allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Smallpox has also been observed to develop in people with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV infection, people who receive immunosuppressive therapy, and people who have received organ transplants.

In general, smallpox vaccination is considered a safe and effective preventive measure against smallpox. However, as with any medical procedure, it is important to discuss all possible risks and side effects with your doctor before getting vaccinated.

Smallpox was one of the most common diseases in human history, affecting people of various social classes and ages. Smallpox was considered especially dangerous because it was fatal in people with poor health. In the 18th century, active clinical trials began on immunization and the development of a smallpox vaccine. Eugene Bering, Christian Hufeland and Eduard Dimm were among the first scientists to propose new treatments for smallpox, based on experiments with smallpox vaccines by encapsulating microbes. The main step to combat smallpox at that time was to actively administer the vaccine to children from the first weeks of life to build lasting immunity before people became susceptible to infection.

Some scientists, such as Dmitry Leonidovich Beketov, in the 80s of the 19th century proposed using the injection of smallpox in vaccinated adults to stimulate the production of antibody antibodies. This simplified the process of vaccination due to the rapid introduction of a new vaccine into circulation, but did not provide lasting immunity to those who received the vaccine before the disease. Despite the achievements of scientists of that time, the smallpox vaccine could not find wide distribution, which led to a surge in incidence and even outbreaks of epidemics in some countries. Only with the advent of antibiotics did a gradual decline in the incidence of smallpox begin.

Among the leading experts in the field of smallpox control is Leopold Lange, one of the greatest masters of his century. Exploring various aspects of smallpox, he first made some recommendations for the prevention and treatment of smallpox in his works. The main idea of ​​his method of preventing smallpox was the use of smallpox vaccine and reduction of morbidity. However, few people knew about this before the start of active vaccination. Another important principle of epidemic prevention was the formation of natural immunity, and this work became the main merit of the author. Although Louis Langeta's ideas underlie successful vaccination, his methods of administering the vaccine, using decapitated Siberia cococae mixed with pyogenic cells, can be considered a springboard for further research towards promoting prevention.