Complications of smallpox vaccination, 1968. Results of a statewide survey in Alaska.

A survey was made to determine the incidence in Alaska of complications of smallpox vaccination during 1968. Of the 206 medical personnel responding to the questionnaire, 20 (or 9.7 percent) observed a complication. Twenty-six complications were reported, 20 of which occurred in primary vaccinees. Accidental implantation was the most common complication, but two cases of eczema vaccinatum and two of generalized vaccinia were observed. There were no deaths or cases of postvaccinial encephalitis or vaccinia necrosum. Of the 26 complications, 19 were theoretically preventable.