Research finds new way to vaccinate against smallpox

UCI scientists have found a potential replacement for the nation’s stockpile of smallpox vaccine, which has been known to cause serious complications in some people, university officials said Monday.

UCI researchers Philip Felgner and Huw Davies have modified a virus to produce the same vaccinating effects as the country’s current smallpox vaccination, Dryvax.

The findings are part of a national effort to develop a Dryvax replacement because of its adverse effects on people with compromised immune systems.

Smallpox, a deadly virus, was eradicated globally in 1980 and Dryvax production was stopped in 1982.

Dryvax’s manufacturing is outdated and UCI scientists have found a new way to vaccinate against the virus that produces little to no side effects, researchers said.

Scientists compared Dryvax and their vaccination, called MVA, reacted similarly in animals — an encouraging sign.

The results of the study are published in the January issue of “Journal of Virology.”

— Joseph Serna