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My girlfriend and her family are all from Mexico. I have noticed that they each have a scar on their shoulder, from, I assume, the Smallpox vaccination. Even my girlfriend's niece, aged 4 years old, has this identical scar. The scars seem to be the same ones that my parents have, but I do not have, due to the fact that I was born when they decided to stop vacinating.

Since I am a believer in prevention, I am wondering about going to Mexico and getting immunized against Smallpox.

My question to any M.D.'s is whether this is advisable or not? Also, are their vaccinations of the same level as those of the United State's?

All of this came up after calling my local Dallas County immunization clinic and finding out that they do not have the vaccinations available and that only the CDC does.

I, for one, do not want my family, friends, or myself taking a chance on getting smallpox and, if, Heaven forbid, we were to contract it, hoping that our new medicine's can treat and eliminate the disease.

In my opinion, this is like changing the oil on my car. I do it because I know what could possibly happen if I don't, being the engine would lock up and die.

I may be heading for Mexico to get that shot! Roadtrip anyone??

"My girlfriend and her family are all from Mexico. I have noticed that they each have a scar on their shoulder, from, I assume, the Smallpox vaccination."

Anybody born much before 1970 anywhere in the world has that smallpolx vaccine scar, usually on their upper left arm. I read that the scar has something to do with a reaction from the booster shots.