APPENDIX:

Apparatus for Mass Vaccination Against Smallpox

NILS PETER SON^

An electrically operated apparatus for smallpox vaccination has been designed in order to eliminate the usual lengthy manual procedure of the multiple pres- sure method (Fig. 16).

A vibrator is fitted with a platinum needle which can be very quickly steri- lized by electrical heating. In prelim- inary trials of primary vaccination on

Present adress: Central Bacteriological Labor

infants, practically 100 % takes were obtained with the apparatus when a vaccin containing about 1O7~*TCID5, (monkey kidney) per ml was used. (3, 4).

Before the smallpox outbreak in Stockholm in 1963 the apparatus had been tried only for primary vaccinations. It was manufactured in large numbers in the event of mass vaccination being

atory of Stockholm City, Box 177, Stockholm 1.

Fig. 16. Vaccination apparatus with platinum needle and transformer.

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Fig. 17 . Apparatus equipped with special device for application of vaccin to the skin.

needed on epidemiological grounds. Al- together some 50,000 persons were vac- cinated with this apparatus. The vaccina- tor could vaccinate up to 500 persons per hour, provided that he had 4-5 assistants: a physician inquiring about medical contraindications, and assistants for recording and guiding of vaccinees, wiping the skin and applying the vac- cine. Takes were obtained in 97 yo. To achieve this degree of success the vac- cinator must be experienced in use of the apparatus, but this experience can be quickly acquired,

The apparatus can operate off a storage battery, which permits its use also in the field.

A further development includes auto- matic dispensing of the vaccine drop- wise. (Fig. 17):

The area to be treated is the same as in the multiple pressure method, i.e. about 3 mm diameter.

Patents for the apparatus have been filed in six countries. I t is made by AB Relax, Odengatan 39, Stockholm.