Smallpox vaccine

Generic name: Smallpox Vaccine
Dosage form: percutaneous powder for injection (-)
Drug class: Viral vaccines

Usage of Smallpox vaccine

The smallpox vaccine is used to help prevent this disease. This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

The smallpox vaccine contains live "vaccinia" virus (a virus similar to smallpox). For this reason, the vaccination site (the place on your skin where the vaccine is injected) will be contagious and can spread the virus to other parts of your body or to other people.

Like any vaccine, the smallpox vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Smallpox vaccine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once or seek emergency medical attention if you have:

sudden eye problems or changes in your vision;

confusion, hallucinations, increased sensitivity to light;

stiff neck or back, loss of balance or coordination;

slurred speech, problems with your senses (vision, hearing, smell);

muscle weakness or paralysis;

a seizure;

unexpected or severe irritation, infection, or skin changes where the needle stick was placed;

an outbreak of skin sores or blisters anywhere on your body; or

chest pain or pressure, fast or irregular heartbeats, or breathing problems.

Common side effects of smallpox vaccine may include:

pain, redness, swelling, or itching where the vaccine was injected;

tiredness;

fever, body ache;

headache;

rash; or

swollen glands.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1 800 822 7967.

Before taking Smallpox vaccine

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing vaccinia virus.

You may not be able to receive smallpox vaccine if you have severe immunosuppression (a weak immune system) or if you have had a bone marrow transplant.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a heart condition such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or chest pain (angina);

heart attack, or stroke;

heart risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure;

a weak immune system;

leukemia, lymphoma, or other types of cancer;

HIV/AIDS;

a skin disorder such as eczema (atopic dermatitis);

a skin wound, burn, psoriasis, uncontrolled acne, contact dermatitis, infection such as impetigo, chickenpox, or shingles (herpes zoster);

a condition for which you have recently used a steroid eye drop or ointment;

an allergy to neomycin or polymyxin B;

close contact with a pregnant woman, or anyone who has a weak immune system or a skin disorder such as eczema;

close contact with an infant younger than 12 months old;

if you are pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or breastfeeding; or

if you have recently received cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Using this vaccine during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. However, if you are at a high risk for infection with smallpox during pregnancy, your doctor should determine whether you need this vaccine.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using smallpox vaccine.

Relate drugs

How to use Smallpox vaccine

Usual Adult Dose for Smallpox Prophylaxis:

Administer 1 drop via scarification (percutaneous multiple puncture technique) in the upper arm over insertion of the deltoid muscle

Warnings

Call your doctor at once or seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or pressure, fast or irregular heartbeats, or breathing problems.

Smallpox vaccine is a "live" vaccine, and the virus can "shed" from your injection site. Until the scab falls off, your vaccination sore will be contagious and could spread the virus to others for up to 4 weeks. Get medical help if someone in your household shows signs of smallpox: skin rash, fever, headache, body aches.

What other drugs will affect Smallpox vaccine

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines you have recently received.

Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;

medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect smallpox vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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