30-Somethings: Remember your smallpox shot?

[BugabooX]

This is mostly directed at U.S. citizens in the late-30s now -- anyone younger wouldn't have had the experience, and those in their 40s or older more than likely got the shot. I'm looking for people who remember getting the vaccination just before the nation's health department decided the program was no longer necessary.

I could swear I got a shot in school from a needle gun that left a circular scar on my upper left arm (barely visible now), but my mother believes otherwise.

Does the experience sound familiar?

[sallearmourer]

My was with the gun


Tim

[Zelda]

I was vaccinated against smallpox in the late 70's early 80's, I cant remember how it was done, all I know is that I have a lovely round scar to prove it. If you cant remember if you had it or not, ask for an antibody test....that will at least tell you if you have the antibodies for the disease.

[JEC]

The immunity against smallpox is relatively short-lived and is measured in years not decades. Many of us were vaccinated, but if circumstances unfortunately change, we might have to be vaccinated again. Military and Health Care personnel would be the populations at highest risk for smallpox, thus, the CDC (in the US) would target us first.

[Aoife]

I've been wondering about this recently because neither of my parents have been vaccinated, yet I know people younger who have (mid to late thirties). Anybody know when they stopped vaccinating in the UK?

[BugabooX]

OK. I got it: Seems that it wasn't the smallpox vaccination after all, but the massive U.S. campaign against swine flu in 1976. It fits the memory and timeframe I was trying to puzzle out.

[magma]

I remember! sitting on the examination table, toddler, the gun coming at me, on the shoulder, ouch, lots of emotion.

According to a pharmacist I spoke with recently about this subject, if you had one before, you don't need another, but I am hoping everyone had theirs. Smallpox is supposed to be very horrible and most people, especially young children don't survive it.

[DamedEscrime]

I must be one of the older ones here. I remember them coming to school and lining us all up to get shots. I must have been in 1st or 2nd grade. "course we were military back then....i had all my shots several times becuase the navy kept losing our records and they wouldn't let you into school with out them.

[Zelda]

Swine flu - the epidemic that never was!

[Catlady]

Actually Bugaboo, it does sound somewhat like a smallpox vaccine.

I'm too young to have gotten one, I was born in 1975 so I guess I just missed it and I'm glad from what I've heard about the vaccine, but I know my mother has a circular scar on her upper arm that she says is from a smallpox vaccine.

Apparently, the vaccine site forms some kind of blister that fills with pus, drains, and forms a scab--if I'm remembering what I read correctly. Nasty vaccine, the actual disease is worse however, so . . .

[Drew42]

Yup. I remember getting lined up in school (1st grade) and getting shot with the gun. The scar lasted for decades but has mostly faded now. Looks like I'll be getting another soon though.

[DamedEscrime]

LOL..... my gramma called the smallpox scar her banana mark as it look like a cross slice of banana to her. Mineis still there. Its about the size of a nickle.