Many people born before the 1970s have a small, rounded scar on their upper left arm. This scar is a result of the smallpox vaccination, which was administered to protect against the deadly Variola virus. The vaccine used a live Vaccinia virus to induce an immune response, causing blisters to form at the injection site. As the blisters healed, a crust formed, leaving behind a circular scar.
The process of getting the smallpox vaccination was quite an ordeal. The area where the shot was administered would swell slightly, and then return to normal. However, after 6 to 8 weeks, a small lump would reappear, growing into a tumor that would eventually crack open and seep fluid. This would develop into an ulcer, which would take two to five weeks to heal. In some cases, the ulceration and healing process could occur two or three times, resulting in a permanent scar.
Smallpox was largely eradicated in the Western world by the early 1970s. As a result, vaccinations were no longer necessary, unless someone was traveling to an area where the virus was still present. By the 1980s, smallpox vaccinations were discontinued altogether, as it was deemed that people were no longer exposed to the Variola virus.
The smallpox scar has become a familiar mark for many people, serving as a reminder of the vaccine’s importance in protecting against a deadly disease.
