[Diddle E. Squat]

When was the first year the smallpox vaccine was not required?

Just looked in the mirror, and don't have any scars, could someone have been vaccinated and not gotten a scar?

[lil'bit]

According to what I was told my a Doc, Yes you could have had the vaccination and not have a scar. I was given one and then a second because the 1st didn't leave a scar. It's also on my early 60's shot record I have.

Mine is barely visible now.

I've was told later in life that if you didn't have a scar after receiving it that you had some natural immunity to it.

Explaination could have been BS too.

[Yellow Rose of Texas]

I was vaccinated in 1969 in order to attend college. My family was vaccinated again in 1979 or 80 in order to go on a cruise somewhere, We had to get it at the hospital emergency room as no local Dr. had it.

You can be vaccinated and not have a scar. Mine took for the first time in 1969 and did not take later. I do have a scar from the one that took. My mother never had a vaccination that took until my little brother rubbed against her with his scab. She has about 10 scars.

[CathyRyan]

I had the scar as a kid but over the years it faded. If that helps.:)

[dmcnash]

No scar on your arm? If you are female check your cheeks (the ones under your bikini).
While scars can be a source of pride for a guy, in days gone by such was not the case for gals.

CDC Vaccinia info

[RottiBiz]

When was the first year the smallpox vaccine was not required?

Just looked in the mirror, and don't have any scars, could someone have been vaccinated and not gotten a scar?

Back in the "old days," if a baby didn't have a pustule from the first vaccination, we would say it "didn't take" and the vaccination would be repeated just to be sure there wasn't a problem with the vaccine or the administration.

Some people could have a natural immunity, but I wouldn't count on that because it is very rare. If you don't have a scar (usually on the outside of your left upper arm), consider yourself unvaccinated and be sure to get one when they become available.

We all had to get booster vaccinations when we were seniors in high school. They gave them into the old scars, and most of the reactions were minimal. Mine was a little pimple and no pain.

Because I was a nurse and did travel overseas, I had additional boosters up until 1970 and none of them had any reactions at all.

I believe they stopped requiring smallpox vaccinations in 1972. Our son was born in 1973 and I wasn't able to get one for him even though I wanted one.

Good thread, TGYC. Thanks for the post.

[null and void]

Just looked in the mirror, and don't have any scars, could someone have been vaccinated and not gotten a scar?

I was. I don't.