smallpox vaccine and psoriasis

[Kathyg]

I just found out that I may be one of the first group of people in my state to be offered the vaccine. Question - I've found out that you shouldn't get the vaccine if you have eczema or "other skin conditions." Does anyone know why? I also emailed the NPF. Thanks, Kathy

[BobO]

WOW Kathy,

Interesting question: " . . . you shouldn't get the vaccine if you have eczema or "other skin conditions." Does anyone know why?".

I have never read of any kind of a connection between smallpox and P. And I just did a search of all my "hardcore" psoriasis information sites and I turned up nary an item.

Could it be that they are concerned with something as simple as a skin irritation around the vaccine injection site. That is, if you have eczema or other skin conditions then it is much more likely that you skin may become inflamed at the injection site? Who knows? Good question.

Of course, you always have to weigh the value of the vaccination against any effect it may have on your P. If you feel that being vaccinated against smallpox is a critical need for you at this time, then any effect that it may have on you P is of vanishing small importance.

Please let us know what your research turns up!

Bobby

[SteveS]

My understanding from what I heard was... if you have skin problems sucha as P you can be more susceptible to contract small pox from those who have the vaccine as those people may be mildly contagious for period of time. It appeared as though it may be because of the open wounds as the other skin problems that I heared named were also prone to leaave you with ipen injuries.

[Kathyg]

Update: I found a news release about this subject on this web site. The link is:http://www.psoriasis.org/immune.htm

Also, on tonight's 60 Minutes II, one of the topics will be the dangers of the smallpox vaccine.

[Patsybl]

My understanding is that you should be concerned if you are taking ammunosuppresent drugs such as methotrexate, enbrel, etc. I am taking methotrexate and I have been told not to take any vaccine\'s with live virus\'s.

[BobO]

Hello Kathy,

Good detective work!

I watched 60-Minutes-II as well. The one thing that is for certain is that the smallpox vaccination program is going to be one of the most hotly debated topics of this decade. Whether or not you have P, the choices are not easy, that is for sure. There are risks if you choose to get the vaccination and risks if you don't.

If a person is not a health care worker or a police or fireman, in my humble opinion I feel that it would be worthwhile to defer the vaccination for at least 6-months to see how the first phase of people react to the vaccinations. Then make a decision later if the vaccination is worth the small but present risks.

Now that the president has announced a smallpox vaccination program that will be offered to the general public on a voluntary basis at some time in the future, there is going to be a veritable flood of information available for people to use to make an informed decision. So I guess it's best to just sit tight and try to sort through all the information that will be forthcoming.

This is a Historic Decision - God Bless Us All,

Bobby

p.s. - One thing that is generally agreed upon is that people with eczema should seek the advice of their physician before getting vaccinated for smallpox. That fact has been mentioned in every article that I have read.

[EdR]

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) web site has a page listing conditions for which the Smallpox vaccine poses an increased risk:

CDC - "People Who Should NOT Get the Smallpox Vaccine":

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/contraindications-public.asp

CDC- "Information on Live Virus Vaccines and Vaccinia":

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/live-virus.asp

CDC Smallpox Home:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/index.asp