Update: adverse events following civilian smallpox vaccination--United States, 2003

During January 24-May 9, 2003, smallpox vaccine was administered to 36,217 civilian health-care and public health workers in 55 jurisdictions to prepare the United States for a possible terrorist attack using smallpox virus. This report updates information on vaccine-associated adverse events among civilians vaccinated since the beginning of the program and among contacts of vaccinees, received by CDC from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) as of May 9.