[Determination of the take efficiency of lyophilized smallpox vaccine as a function of the vaccination technic (double scarification, multi-puncture and jet injection)].

Revaccination against smallpox was performed by three techniques: double scarification, multiple puncture and jet injection in 352 youths aged 16 and 17 years. The results were assessed by the number of takes, the quality of the cutaneous and humoral response. The highest proportion of major skin reactions was obtained by multiple puncture vaccination (62.4%) and the best humoral response, tested by passive haemagglutination, by jet revaccination. Multiple puncture is recommended as a method of election both in restricted and mass vaccination in view of the high proportion of major skin rections accompanied by a corresponding humoral response, the rapid and readily performed technique and small amount of vaccine needed.