Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Smallpox Vaccination
The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. The smallpox vaccine contains the “live” vaccinia virus—not dead virus like many other vaccines. For that reason, the vaccination site must be cared for carefully to prevent the virus from spreading. Also, the vaccine can have side effects. Currently, the United States has a big enough stockpile of smallpox vaccine to vaccinate everyone in the U.S. in the event of a smallpox emergency. More...
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
What You Should Know
- CDC's main smallpox website
- Description
Symptoms, treatment, transmission, etc. - Smallpox Basics
Overview of the disease & what CDC is doing to protect you... - Questions and Answers
- Pictures of Smallpox
Warning: Some of these photos are quite graphic. - What You Should Know About a Smallpox Outbreak
- Travelers information
Information and updates on risks for travelers, precautions, prevention, etc. - Timeline of Smallpox Disease and Vaccine
Source: History of Vaccines
- Vaccine Basics
- Side Effects
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Questions and Answers
- Fact Sheet
- Smallpox: 30th Anniversary of Global Eradication
- Someone
You Are Close to May Get the Smallpox Vaccine: What
You Should Know and Do
If someone you have close, physical contact with (your spouse, partner or other member of your household) is considering getting the smallpox vaccine…
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Smallpox
- Smallpox Overview for Clinicians
Register with CDC, diagnosis & evaluation, contraindications, normal vaccine reactions, adverse reactions, vaccine admin, policy, and patient education - Smallpox Vaccination Information for Health Professionals
- Newly Licensed Smallpox Vaccine to Replace Old Smallpox Vaccine
(MMWR Feb 29, 2008) - Questions & Answers for Health Professionals
- Pre-Event Vaccination
- Post-Event Vaccination
- State-by-state reports of shipments, vaccinations, and adverse events
Vaccine Recommendations
- ACIP recommendations
- Vaccination Recommendations & Policy
- Contraindications for Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine
- Package inserts
(ACAM2000, Dryvax, and more package inserts...) Posted
Feb 2010 - Info for People Selected for Smallpox Response Teams
Information for those considering getting smallpox vaccine as part of their hospital or health department’s preparedness plans
References and Resources
- Reference Materials
- Related MMWR articles, links, and references
- Travelers Health: Yellow Book
- Infection Control
- Surveillance
Provider Education
- Training & education
- Smallpox Vaccination & Adverse Events Training Module
- Podcast on Smallpox Vaccine
Materials for Patients
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Content last reviewed on May 13, 2009
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases