Smallpox vaccination: scar on the upper arm explained

Smallpox vaccination in the 1970s left a scar on the upper arm of many people. The dent in the skin stems from the vaccination method used at the time.

Therefore the smallpox vaccine left a scar

Thanks to a nationwide vaccination campaign in the 1970s and 1980s, there is no longer any risk of catching smallpox. The scar is therefore particularly visible in people over 40 years of age.

• Because the vaccine was not administered with a syringe, but with a vaccination gun.
• In this method, the skin was incised to trigger an infection that stimulates the body to produce antibodies to smallpox.
• The small injury caused a swelling. Similar to an insect bite.
• After the swelling disappeared, a small dent remained in the skin.
• Do not confuse the scar with a smallpox scar by vaccination. This is caused by the pustules that occur with the disease.
• To alleviate the dent in the skin, you can use home remedies for scars.

Interesting facts about smallpox

Despite the eradication of smallpox, there are some interesting facts about the disease.

• The smallpox is triggered by the Variola virus. The last registered cases were in 1977 in Somalia, Africa.
• The virus can only be transmitted by humans. The infection takes place through body contact, but also through the air we breathe.
• The most striking symptom of smallpox is the numerous pustules on the body. They fill first with water, then with pus. At the end of the disease, the pustules dry up and fall off.
• Vaccination is currently not recommended as there is no threat. The vaccine is not approved.

You can read when the first smallpox vaccination was carried out and what the most important milestones in the history of medicine are in the next post.