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Smallpox Outbreak: How Long Would It Take for Vaccines To Protect People? Would it Work?
May 01, 2007ST. LOUIS -- In the event of a smallpox outbreak in the United States, how long would it take for a vaccine to start protecting Americans by stimulating an immune response? A new national study led by Saint Louis University School of Medicine will attempt to answer this question.
General routine vaccinations for smallpox were stopped in the United States in 1971, and the world was declared free of smallpox in 1980. But because of the recent concern about biowarfare and bioterrorism throughout the world, the U.S. government is making efforts to improve its ability to protect its citizens in the event of a bioterrorist attack involving the smallpox virus (Variola major virus).
This study at Saint Louis University will look at the ability of an investigational vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic to stimulate the immune system against smallpox.
"Vaccines prevent disease by giving the body a jump-start at recognizing the infecting virus or bacteria," said Sharon Frey, M.D., the principal investigator for the study at Saint Louis University. "After successful vaccination, the body experiences a quicker fighting response to the infection, which lessens or completely avoids the symptoms of illness."
Unlike some other diseases, getting vaccinated following exposure to smallpox could provide protective effects. For example, for the flu vaccine to work, people need to get vaccinated before being exposed to influenza. The currently licensed smallpox vaccine, however, provides benefits post-exposure, and may be useful in further preventing the spread of the disease.
"If there were a release of the smallpox virus, we would vaccinate people immediately after the release," Frey said. "We'd move in and vaccinate people to prevent the spread."
Frey said this research compares the ability of a new investigational smallpox vaccine called IMVAMUNE® to produce a strong immune response against smallpox disease with another vaccine called Dryvax®, the currently licensed vaccine. The new vaccine will be given either alone or in combination with Dryvax. "
Another purpose of the study is to see how quickly people can be protected against smallpox after a release of smallpox into the environment," Frey said.
Dryvax® vaccine is the original Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed vaccine that was used to protect humans against smallpox disease. In this study, the Dryvax® vaccine is being used as a research vaccine because its use in this study is different than the FDA approved current recommended use of this licensed vaccine.
The Dryvax® vaccine is made from a live virus called vaccinia. The only people who presently receive this vaccine are people who work with viruses associated the risk of similar "pox" diseases; these are called by names like vaccinia, orthopox and monkeypox virus. (This group includes some government employees, some emergency workers military personnel and researchers).
This study is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health in cooperation with Bavarian Nordic A/S, the vaccine manufacturer. Up to 215 people will be enrolled in this study. Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development is one of seven centers conducting the study in the United States. Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development will enroll up to 50 participants.
The investigational vaccine is similar to licensed Dryvax but it is a highly attenuated (weakened) form of the virus. It is given under the skin using a needle and syringe similar to the way insulin is given and has less side effects than Dryvax.
Volunteers need to be healthy, at least 18 years of age and born after 1971. For more information about volunteering in the study, call the Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development at 314-977-6333 or visit http://vaccine.slu.edu on the World Wide Web.
Saint Louis University
"Vaccines prevent disease by giving the body a jump-start at recognizing the infecting virus or bacteria," said Sharon Frey, M.D., the principal investigator for the study at Saint Louis University. "After successful vaccination, the body experiences a quicker fighting response to the infection, which lessens or completely avoids the symptoms of illness."
Unlike some other diseases, getting vaccinated following exposure to smallpox could provide protective effects. For example, for the flu vaccine to work, people need to get vaccinated before being exposed to influenza. The currently licensed smallpox vaccine, however, provides benefits post-exposure, and may be useful in further preventing the spread of the disease.
"If there were a release of the smallpox virus, we would vaccinate people immediately after the release," Frey said. "We'd move in and vaccinate people to prevent the spread."
Frey said this research compares the ability of a new investigational smallpox vaccine called IMVAMUNE® to produce a strong immune response against smallpox disease with another vaccine called Dryvax®, the currently licensed vaccine. The new vaccine will be given either alone or in combination with Dryvax. "
Another purpose of the study is to see how quickly people can be protected against smallpox after a release of smallpox into the environment," Frey said.
Dryvax® vaccine is the original Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed vaccine that was used to protect humans against smallpox disease. In this study, the Dryvax® vaccine is being used as a research vaccine because its use in this study is different than the FDA approved current recommended use of this licensed vaccine.
The Dryvax® vaccine is made from a live virus called vaccinia. The only people who presently receive this vaccine are people who work with viruses associated the risk of similar "pox" diseases; these are called by names like vaccinia, orthopox and monkeypox virus. (This group includes some government employees, some emergency workers military personnel and researchers).
This study is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health in cooperation with Bavarian Nordic A/S, the vaccine manufacturer. Up to 215 people will be enrolled in this study. Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development is one of seven centers conducting the study in the United States. Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development will enroll up to 50 participants.
The investigational vaccine is similar to licensed Dryvax but it is a highly attenuated (weakened) form of the virus. It is given under the skin using a needle and syringe similar to the way insulin is given and has less side effects than Dryvax.
Volunteers need to be healthy, at least 18 years of age and born after 1971. For more information about volunteering in the study, call the Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development at 314-977-6333 or visit http://vaccine.slu.edu on the World Wide Web.
Saint Louis University
Smallpox Current Events and Smallpox News RSSMilestone biodefense publication by Elsevier journal Vaccine
Last week during the 'Vaccines for Biothreats and Emerging and Neglected Diseases Symposium' in Galveston TX, USA, the Elsevier journal Vaccine released a supplement dedicated to vaccines for biodefense.
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation.
Outfoxing pox: Developing a new class of vaccine candidates
In the annals of medicine, Edward Jenner's 1796 vaccination of a young boy against smallpox, using fluid from cowpox blisters, remains a landmark case. In a new study, Kathryn Sykes, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute and her colleagues have taken a fresh look at cowpox.
First genetically-engineered malaria vaccine to enter human trials
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute scientists have created a weakened strain of the malaria parasite that will be used as a live vaccine against the disease.
Study Characterizes Eczema Patients Most at Risk for Dangerous Viral Infections
Eczema patients at risk for serious viral infections have more severe disease, are more likely to be allergic to food and other allergens, and have a frequent history of staph infections.
Promising antimicrobial attacks virus, stimulates immune system
A promising antimicrobial agent already known to kill bacteria can also kill viruses and stimulate the innate immune system, according to researchers at National Jewish Health.
La Jolla Institute unlocks mystery of potentially fatal reaction to smallpox vaccine
Researchers from the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology have pinpointed the cellular defect that increases the likelihood, among eczema sufferers, of developing eczema vaccinatum, a severe and potentially fatal reaction to the smallpox vaccine.
Scientists discover how smallpox may derail human immune system
University of Florida researchers have learned more about how smallpox conducts its deadly business - discoveries that may reveal as much about the human immune system as they do about one of the world's most feared pathogens.
Superbug risk to war wounded
Soldiers who survive severe injuries on battlefields such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan can be at risk from developing infections of their wounds with multidrug resistant bacteria.
DASNR researchers make breakthrough against poxviruses
Smallpox has a nasty history throughout the world. Caused by poxviruses, smallpox is one of the few disease-causing agents against which the human body's immune system is ineffective in its defense.
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