Smallpox Vaccination Program

Smallpox vaccination in the U.S. and around the world is credited with eliminating the disease by 1980. Routine vaccination for smallpox was discontinued in the U.S. in 1972.

In 2003, the CDC led a program to vaccinate key health care workers across the country, in preparation for a potential smallpox-related bioterrorism event. In Minnesota, almost 1,500 health volunteers were vaccinated. In addition, the U.S. military runs an ongoing smallpox vaccination program.

• CDC: Smallpox Vaccination
  CDC's information on smallpox vaccination, primarily the program to vaccinate key health care professionals in 2003.
• CDC: Smallpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know
  CDC Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) on smallpox in English and other languages. Note that smallpox VIS should be used in conjunction with a packet of five supplements (A through E), which have not been translated.
• Military Health System: Immunization Healthcare
  The U.S. military continues to vaccinate against smallpox.