Counselling of workers handling vaccinia virus.

Vaccination with smallpox vaccine for workers handling vaccinia virus was universally recommended in the United Kingdom until 1990. Since 1990, occupational physicians and other doctors acting as supervisory medical officers have been advised to consider the need for vaccination on a case-by-case basis taking into account factors such as the virulence of the organism and the nature of the proposed work. This paper describes the practice in one organization for the counselling of prospective vaccinia workers and covers the hazards and risks of the work, the main control measures and the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination.