Ring vaccination for smallpox
Ring vaccination is a disease-control strategy that was used to control smallpox until the last naturally occurring case in 1977. When an infection was diagnosed, all people who were or may have been exposed were identified and vaccinated. Then, a second "ring" of people who may have been exposed to the first ring were also identified and vaccinated.
Many disease-control experts support ring vaccination as an alternative to mass vaccination of the American public.
| Author: | Bets Davis, MFA | Last Updated: January 26, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
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