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Published at www.nejm.org March 28, 2002 (10.1056/NEJMoa020534)

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ABSTRACT

Background To evaluate the potential to increase the supply of smallpox vaccine (vaccinia virus), we compared the response to vaccination with 10^8.1, 10^7.2, and 10^7.0 plaque-forming units of vaccine virus per milliliter.

Methods In this randomized, single-blind, prospective study, 680 adults who had not been previously immunized were inoculated intradermally with undiluted vaccine (mean titer, 10^8.1 pfu per milliliter), a 1:5 dilution, or a 1:10 dilution of vaccinia virus with use of a bifurcated needle, and the site was covered with a semipermeable dressing. Subjects were monitored for vesicle formation (an indicator of the success of vaccination) and adverse events for 56 days after immunization.

Results Success rates did not differ significantly among the groups and ranged from 97.1 to 99.2 percent after the first vaccination. Both the undiluted and diluted vaccines were reactogenic. In addition to the formation of pustules, common adverse events included the formation of satellite lesions, regional lymphadenopathy, fever, headache, nausea, muscle aches, fatigue, and chills consistent with the presence of an acute viral illness. Generalized and localized rashes, including two cases of erythema multiforme, were also observed.

Conclusions When given by a bifurcated needle, vaccinia virus vaccine can be diluted to a titer as low as 10^7.0 pfu per milliliter (approximately 10,000 pfu per dose) and induce local viral replication and vesicle formation in more than 97 percent of persons. (N Engl J Med 2002;346:1265-74.)

Notice: Because of possible public health implications, this article is being published early (on March 28, 2002). It will appear in the April 25 issue of the Journal.

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