dryvax

Dryvax is a first-generation smallpox vaccine consisting of live vaccinia virus (New York City Board of Health strain) prepared from calf lymph. The vaccine was produced by infecting calves with the vaccinia virus, harvesting the lymph, purifying it, and then lyophilizing (freeze-drying) it for storage and use. Dryvax induces immunity to variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox) by stimulating both cellular and humoral immune responses through exposure to live replicating vaccinia virus. It was widely used in the United States until routine vaccination ended in 1972 following global eradication efforts; its license was withdrawn in 2008 and it is no longer manufactured or available. The primary indication for Dryvax was prevention of smallpox infection[3][4][5][7].

Brand names

Dryvax

Other names

smallpox vaccine dried calf lymphvaccinia virus vaccine NYCBOH strainfirst-generation smallpox vaccine