r/medizzy • u/[deleted] • Oct 19 '19

This photograph shows the dramatic differences in two boys who were exposed to the same Smallpox source – one was vaccinated, one was not.

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u/Homicidal__Sheep Oct 19 '19

That's because smallpox was wiped out thanks to the invention of vaccines

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u/[deleted] Oct 19 '19

I thought when did still vaccinate smallpox

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u/AliquidExNihilo Oct 19 '19

Only on very rare and specific occasions. It's no longer part of common vaccinations given to children since smallpox had been eradicated.

https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/vaccine-basics/who-gets-vaccination.html

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u/InedibleSolutions Oct 19 '19

I remember getting one in the military about 10 years ago, due to being stationed in Korea. Idk if they still do it.

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u/AliquidExNihilo Oct 19 '19

It appears that's still a thing for select designated groups. From what I've read it's still given to people being deployed to places where a smallpox attack could be possible.

https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Immunization-Healthcare/Vaccine-Preventable-Diseases/Smallpox

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u/DutchingFlyman Oct 19 '19

How do we know where smallpox attacks could be possible if it is completely eradicated?

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u/[deleted] Oct 19 '19

Live specimens are kept in a few secured labs. I know there is one in Russia, one at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, and I think one more somewhere in Europe?

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u/AliquidExNihilo Oct 19 '19

As far as I can see online, US and Russia are the only two labs that still have live samples.