Vaccinations for smallpox not necessary

Press, 26 January 1979, Page 13

Vaccinations for smallpox not necessary

A smallpox vaccination for overseas travellers should no longer be necessary anywhere in the world, according to the World Health Organisation. The W.H.O. which is based in Geneva, has released a report which says that there is no area in the world where the disease still exists, and that more than 130 countries or territories no longer require a vaccination certifiThe WHO. also described routine vaccination of populations against smallpox as unnecessary, except in the Horn of Africa and in the few countries still waiting for certification. Dr Peter Cardon. the information officer of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Medical Association, said that there was more risk attached to the vaccination than benefit "My advice to my patients is that unless they are going to a highrisk zone, and we would be hard-pressed to name one these days, the risks of vaccination outweigh

the potential benefits." he said A smallpox vaccination produces a small blister which forms a scab after a week or two. with localised pain and swelling. However, there have been cases where the vaccine has spread throughout a person's body. It can also cause encephalitis, a potentially fatal brain virus Dr Cardon said that he had often fought running battles with travel agents who insisted that people should be vaccinat'd against smallpox. However, he said that although the smallpox vaccination was no longer necessary or desirabh. travellers often overlooked protection against other diseases, including polio, tetanus, and cholera. “Epidemics of polio have occurred oveiscas. and these indicate the need to avoid complacency," Dr Cardon said "Most travellers would be wise to have the cholera vaccination. It will killed bacteria and is r<garded as very safe, evok ing an antibody response which is unlikely to cause any problem "