Smallpox vaccine safe in HIV-infected patients

By Anthony J. Brown, MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - IMVAMUNE, a third-generation smallpox vaccine, can be safely given to people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, with comparable effectiveness, research indicates.

The vaccine could become important in the event of a biological attack with smallpox.

"This is the first US trial systematically evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of a smallpox vaccine in HIV patients that has long-term data (6-month follow-up)," lead investigator Dr. Richard N. Greenberg, from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine in Lexington, told Reuters Health.

Greenberg presented the findings Saturday in Washington at a meeting of infectious disease experts.

In a study of HIV-infected and uninfected patients, no significant differences in safety or in responses to the vaccine were noted, researchers reported. Mild to moderate injection site pain and redness were reported by all subjects, but the vaccine was well tolerated.

"The important take-home message is that IMVAMUNE holds out hope as a safe and effective vaccine for those with contraindications to current smallpox vaccines," Greenberg said.

"If smallpox is ever used as a weapon, IMVAMUNE will be an important vaccine for those who are immunocompromised or with atopic (allergic) skin conditions," Greenberg added.