They gave me the smallpox vaccine when I

[stayathomecristi]

was a baby!!!!!!

We're in the middle of moving and I was just going through my filing cabinet trying to decide what to get rid of and came across my childhood medical records. : I find it hard to believe that smallpox vaccine was given routinely even then (1969) considering all the mortality and morbidity that was associated with it. Hence, the reason that it isn't routinely used today.


This just sparked another fire under me---grrrrrrrr. I actually felt angry when I looked at the records of what was given to me and felt similarly when I came to my oldest son's record as well.

[Simply Nurtured]

Didn't you know, sweetie?

It leaves such a "lovely" scar, you know... :

I remember it, they did it to me in the first grade! It hurt more than anything I ever remembered. And I have always despised the scar.



Sorry that you just found out...

[jlazx2]

I was born late in the year 1970 & was vaxd- mom said the Ped still believed in the vaccine. She was always proud of this fact.

[aniT]

I recieved mine at 11 months in '71. My scar is on my bottom as the doctor told my mom that girls don't like the scar.

The only things in my record are DPT, Oral Polio, and Smallpox.

No where near what they give now.

[Mirzam]

I had it done twice because it didn't take the first time. My scar is actually very teeny, not the regular sized smallpox scar, so I don't think the second one really took either.

[polka123]

Sure. all of us "old folk" have the "scar"
I'm in my 40's

The X-File had a great episode about why we all given SP vaxes. The theory was that we were all being "tracked" by the Gov't for various illnesses & they used the tiny piece of skin for future DNA purposes - CREEPY huh?
I didn't explian as well as the show but it really got me thinking about how many weird illnesses my age group has contracted
Twilight Zone music now playing

[weebitty2]

I'm not (really) an "old folks" .. but i have the scar too. from 1978 and 1995.

I wish I'd known better.

[aniT]

Originally Posted by weebitty2

I'm not (really) an "old folks" .. but i have the scar too. from 1978 and 1995.

I wish I'd known better.

Ummmm I thought they stoped giving it in the US in the early 70's. Most DEFINATLY by '95.

[weebitty2]

Originally Posted by aniT

Ummmm I thought they stoped giving it in the US in the early 70's. Most DEFINATLY by '95.

I wasn't born in the US And it was still mandatory for boot camp regardless of the fact that I'd already had it.

[aniT]

Originally Posted by weebitty2

I wasn't born in the US And it was still mandatory for boot camp regardless of the fact that I'd already had it.

That is because they say you need a booster every 10 years or so. That is the reason they give for it no longer being any good for the millions of people that had it as infants.

I also wasn't aware they were forcing it on the military at that time. I will have to ask my brother. Although, were you in boot camp in the US?

[Red]

I was in basicin the us in 77. They gave me my 2nd samllpox there.


It's so if they need to deploy you to some part of the world where the disease were to appear, you'd be 'protected'. They wouldn't have time to immunize in an emergency. They give you many, many, many shots, all in one day.














Hmm, could that have started my MS? :

[weebitty2]

Originally Posted by aniT

That is because they say you need a booster every 10 years or so. That is the reason they give for it no longer being any good for the millions of people that had it as infants.

I also wasn't aware they were forcing it on the military at that time. I will have to ask my brother. Although, were you in boot camp in the US?

US stopped forcing it on the military I think in 1990, but didn't they start it again in 2002 along with the anthrax vax? I could be mistaken but I thought Bush was pushing them.

But no, my military service was in the Polish Navy

[polka123]

Originally Posted by weebitty2

But no, my military service was in the Polish Navy

Hi, nie mowie po polsku (is that right?) :LOL

but I am 1/2 Polish (2nd Generation American) & sorry, I really don't speak any but I'm tring to teach myself

my other 1/2 is Slovak & my Grandma (from Slovakia) had 4 smallpox scars (2 each arm) & she told me they gave a few over in Europe & a few here !?!

[stayathomecristi]

For RED

YES--that could be why you have MS!

[Red]

: Too bad I can't sue!

They gave us live polio too. I so wanted to squirt mine on the ground, but they were watching.

[aniT]

I asked my brother if he was given smallpox. He was in bootcamp in '91. He said "I don't know what I was given, you just take what they give you." : My response was, "And that is why "I" would never join the military, I don't like taking orders." Then to my horror he informs me he gets the flu shot every year.

So I told him smallpox wasn't a shot like he is thinking so he doens't think he had it. But I believe someone said they stoped giving it to the military in '90.

[mom2savannah_grace]

I think I got my shot in '75 as a "just in case". It wasn't necessary but my mom decided I should get it anyway. Thanks mom. :

Oh and I didn't learn about it till I was in high school biology discussing what was in the smallpox vax and you'll know you had it if you have the scar on your arm.

[stayathomecristi]

My record says that I got it, but I don't seem to have a scar anywhere. What does it look like?

C

[Simply Nurtured]

Mine is on my left upper arm. It is oval in shape, about 1/2 inch wide, looks like a burn scar.

I remember they used this thing that looked like a gun. Isn't any wonder I never trust anyone at school? I still can't believe they could do stuff like that. They still do stuff at public/government schools that is appalling... :

My DH's is more round and a little bigger, same place same arm.

[StephanieUSCG]

I didn't have the small pox vacs. I was born in 73. My dh is AD US military and hasn't been forced to get the small pox vacs or anthrax. I depends on what the AD member does in the military.

I was shocked to hear from my mom that I had many of the childhood disease they vax against now days. I had measles and mumps. I cant remember what else.