Some people infected in the monkeypox outbreak in 2003 were protected by previous smallpox vaccinations, a finding that could be of a benefit in the event of a bioterror attack, a new study suggests. As many as 100 million Americans have at least some residual protection from smallpox vaccines they received as children, even if it was many decades ago, said Mark K. Slifka, who led a team that conducted the study.This potentially could be a benefit in the event of a bioterror attack, said Slifka of Oregon Health & Science University.
