Small Pox Immunity

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Q:  When I was going to school for the first time, I had to have the small pox vaccine.  I did not get a sore or scar as everyone else.  They said it didn’t “take”.  Years latter I had to have it done again since I didn’t have a scar that proved I had the vaccine.  I had the same reaction which was none. I have meet other people since who have had the same lack of reaction. What does this mean?  Do we have some natural immunity? If so how would we have that?
Fran Delaney

A:  I checked with Doctor John Moore, Carilion Clinic’s Chief of Pediatrics and with the Virginia Department of Health.  Both tell me that if you did not have a reaction to the vaccine then you did not develop immunity to small pox. 

Dr.  Moore says, “Since she did not have a scar and blister from the vaccine, she did not develop immunity from either of the shots.“

It is unlikely that your lack of a reaction to the vaccine was due to natural immunity.

He says, “The most likely explanation for her lack of reaction is that the vaccine did not multiply in her and thus did not provoke an immune response.“

Dr. Moore says You can ask your doctor to check your immunity levels but it would not be relevant at this time since there is no naturally occurring small pox.

Link to more information about the Small Pox vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.