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Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Health Promotion & Outreach School Health News - Winter 2002-2003

Smallpox Vaccination: An Important Decision (Part 2)

Possible Reactions to the Smallpox Vaccine

• Minor reactions -- including sore arm, fever and body aches -- are common.
• Serious reactions can occur, including a toxic or allergic reaction at the vaccination site, spread of the vaccinia virus to other parts of the body or to other individuals, or spread of the vaccinia virus through the blood. (In the past, these occurred in about 1,000 people for every 1 million people vaccinated for the first time.)
• Life-threatening reactions can occur, including inflammation of the brain, ongoing infection of the skin with tissue destruction, and disfiguring and painful skin rashes. (In the past, between 14 and 52 people for every 1 million people vaccinated for the first time experienced these reactions.)
• Based on past experience, it is estimated that between 1 and 2 people per every 1 million vaccinated may die from complications of the vaccine.

Vaccination Site Care

• The vaccination site must be cared for carefully until the scab that forms after vaccination falls off on its own (in 2 to 3 weeks).
• Proper care (including hand washing, covering the site with gauze, wearing long-sleeved shirts) can decrease the risk of spread of the vaccinia virus to other parts of the body or to other persons.
• Health care workers involved in direct patient care need to take additional measures for site care, such as using semi-permeable dressings.

Individuals who have any of the following conditions, or live with someone who does, should NOT get the smallpox vaccine unless they have been exposed to the smallpox virus:

• Eczema or atopic dermatitis (even if the condition is not currently active, mild or experienced as a child.)
• Other skin conditions such as burns, chickenpox, shingles, impetigo, herpes, severe acne, or psoriasis. (Individuals should not get the vaccine until the condition has completely healed.)
• Weakened immune system (for instance, from cancer treatment, an organ transplant, HIV, or medications such as steroids to treat autoimmune disorders and other illnesses)
• Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant within one month of vaccination.

In addition, individuals should not receive the smallpox vaccine if they:

• Are allergic to the vaccine or any of its ingredients.
• Are younger than 12 months of age. Also, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) advises against non-emergency use of smallpox vaccination in those younger than 18 years of age.
• Have a moderate or severe short-term illness. (These people should wait until they are completely recovered to get the vaccine.)
• Are currently breastfeeding.

Cost of Treatment of Vaccine Reactions

• Treatments for the more serious reactions can be very expensive. There is no federal program to pay these expenses. Workers compensation or health insurance may cover these expenses. If not, individuals may end up being responsible.
• Individuals may lose time from work following vaccination because of illness or because of concern that they could transmit the virus to others. There is no program in place to cover this. Individuals should check with their employer to see if the employer or workers compensation would cover this.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/smallpox, or call the CDC public response hotline at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888) 246-2847 (Espaņol), or (866) 874-2646 (TTY).

InterLinc City of Lincoln Departments Category Location Health Health Promotions & Outreach School Health News Winter 2002-2003