---
title: "Update: Not Smallpox, those vials had Vaccinia"
description: "CBRNe World provides those tasked with defending against CBRN and IED threats with the essential practical, scientific and political information. Access the current and previous issues of the magazine by registering as a member."
url: "https://cbrneworld.com/news/subscribers/update-not-smallpox-those-vials-had-vaccinia"
date: "2026-07-30T21:07:19+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Update: Not Smallpox, those vials had Vaccinia

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 22 November 2021.

They found that the vials actually contain "vaccinia, the virus used in smallpox vaccine," rather than the variola virus that can cause people to contract the historically deadly and infectious illness, the Associated Press reported.

"The freezer facility was immediately secured and staff followed standard protocols for notifying CDC of such a potential discovery. The vials were sent securely to CDC for testing on November 18 to determine what they contained," the CDC said in a statement.

Upon investigation, health officials were able to determine that the vials "contain no trace of virus known to cause smallpox." The vaccinia virus that was detected inside the vials is used to produce smallpox vaccine and is the origin of the word "vaccine," CNN reported.

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