Smallpox vaccine info from myositis website

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Smallpox vaccine not recommended

Dr. Fred , Chief, Environmental Autoimmunity Group NIEHS, National

Institutes of Health, and TMA medical advisor warns against small pox

vaccinations for myositis patients.

Because the current smallpox vaccine is a live viral vaccine and because

myositis patients are immunosuppressed, the current recommendation is that

they should not receive it. A related, and as important problem, however, is

that those immunized may shed active virus for some time (possibly 3-6

weeks) after immunization which can be spread to others from the

immunization site. So an additional recommendation is that those living with

myositis patients also should NOT receive the vaccine per the CDC website.

We realize that many of our members may be worried about exposure to

smallpox through others, especially health care workers, who have been

vaccinated. Dr. recommends that people with individual questions call

the Centers for Disease Control at (English),

(Spanish) or (TTY). The hotlines are in operation

from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday.