Monkey Pox? ... Seriously ?!

[Lambykins]

Vaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised. 

Because of course they are.  Great...


Though at least it sounds like having had the smallpox vaccine might help.

I'm not sure if I was vaccinated for smallpox as a child.  I was born around the end of smallpox eradication and I recall the vaccine being offered but not required and some kids getting it and some didn't.  I was a military kid and lived overseas, so maybe there's a better chance that I'm among the kids who did get it.  My dad has no idea where my immunization records are and Walter Reed lost my childhood medical records many years ago.

Between Covid rates not falling as expected, flu flaring out of season, hepatitis outbreaks, measles outbreaks (can't get that vaccine, either), and monkey pox, I think I'm just going to find an island somewhere and live out the rest of my life as a recluse, my only connection to the world being drone deliveries from the mainland.

If you got the smallpox vaccine, you'll have a scar. It does NOT go away. I am 65 and mine is still on my arm.

[Anianna]

Vaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised. 

Because of course they are.  Great...


Though at least it sounds like having had the smallpox vaccine might help.

I'm not sure if I was vaccinated for smallpox as a child.  I was born around the end of smallpox eradication and I recall the vaccine being offered but not required and some kids getting it and some didn't.  I was a military kid and lived overseas, so maybe there's a better chance that I'm among the kids who did get it.  My dad has no idea where my immunization records are and Walter Reed lost my childhood medical records many years ago.

Between Covid rates not falling as expected, flu flaring out of season, hepatitis outbreaks, measles outbreaks (can't get that vaccine, either), and monkey pox, I think I'm just going to find an island somewhere and live out the rest of my life as a recluse, my only connection to the world being drone deliveries from the mainland.

If you got the smallpox vaccine, you'll have a scar. It does NOT go away. I am 65 and mine is still on my arm.

Percutaneous is not the only method of delivery for smallpox vaccines, so not having a scar still isn't necessarily an indicator. 

Although, when I went to look up if the other options were available in the 70s (there was another option), I did find that a new smallpox vaccine specifically designed for those with compromised immune systems was approved by the FDA in 2019.  I'll have to look into that more.  It is stockpiled in the government's emergency reserves.  I'll have to see if it's an option for me.