As important, the LC16m8 vaccine produced minimal local reactions and no severe adverse events, said Dr.
The researchers noted that while the total sample size in the study limited their ability to "conclusively confirm the absence of severe adverse events," their results support the conclusion that LC16m8 "causes minimal local manifestations and systemic adverse effects."
The third-generation smallpox vaccine LC16m8 was found to be as immunogenic as existing smallpox vaccines but appeared to be safer, according to a study of over 3,000 Japanese adults.
The five, attenuated, tissue-cultured LC16m8 vaccine proved to be immunogenic in adults who had never received any smallpox vaccination, and it also produced an adequate booster response in those who had been vaccinated previously.
They assessed the LC16m8 vaccine in healthy personnel in the Japan Self-Defense Forces inoculated in 2002-2005.
The researchers noted that while the total sample size in the study limited their ability to "conclusively confirm that absence of severe adverse events," their results support the conclusion that LC16m8 "causes minimal local manifestations and systemic adverse effects."