Smallpox vaccination. Application of Vaccinia vaccine to the skin with a bifurcated needle. Vaccinia is used to vaccinate people against the Variola (smallpox) virus. The needle has two points. When dipped into the vaccine solution (not seen), a droplet is retained between the points. The tip of the needle is then repeatedly jabbed into the skin of the upper arm to apply the vaccine. Smallpox was globally eradicated in 1979 due to the effectiveness of vaccination. Despite this, a risk of re-introduction of smallpox exists due to the threat of bioterrorism.