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The smallpox vaccine was different from the shots most people receive today.
Doctors used a special two-pronged needle dipped into a vaccine solution containing a virus called Vaccinia. The skin was pricked several times in a small area on the upper arm.
After the vaccination, the area went through several stages:
- Mild Swelling
Within hours, the spot might become slightly swollen.
- A Small Bump Appears
Several days later, a raised bump forms.
- Blister Formation
The bump grows into a blister filled with fluid.
- Scab and Healing
