Report any illness or adverse event that may occur after vaccination to 

your healthcare provider or the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). You can submit a VAERS report online at http://vaers.hhs.gov/ or call 1-800-822-7967. 

What is the smallpox vaccine? Smallpox vaccine contains a weakened live virus called “vaccinia.” Vaccinia is a virus related to smallpox but does NOT cause the disease. After one dose of vaccine, about 95% of people develop protection within 5 to 10 days. Currently, in a pre-event setting, a booster dose is recommended every 10 years to maintain immunity. The smallpox vaccine that is licensed in the U.S. is called ACAM2000. The vaccine is delivered in the upper arm by pricking the top layer of skin 15 times. The pricking is not deep and should not cause any active bleeding at the site. Who should not get smallpox vaccine? 

Prior to receiving the smallpox vaccine, individuals are required to complete the Smallpox Vaccination Screening Form. Individuals XIPshould not receive the smallpox vaccine include those: 

» With a weak immune system due to disease, medication, or 

radiation therapy 

» With any previous history of eczema, atopic dermatitis or 

persistent skin rashes 

» With a current active case of the following skin conditions: (Once 

the skin condition is healed you may be vaccinated) 

 burns  impetigo  contact dermatitis  chickenpox  shingles 

 psoriasis  uncontrolled acne  an active case of herpes 

or any other open skin condition 

» Who are pregnant or could be pregnant » Who live with or have intimate contact with a person who has any 

of the above conditions 

» With serious heart or blood vessel conditions (such as angina, 

heart attack, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, other cardiac problems) 

» With at least 3 cardiac risk factors to include: 

• smoking • high blood pressure • high cholesterol 

• diabetes • family history of heart 

disease 

Continued on following page X

More information from 

Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare Division (DHA-IHD) 

• For clinical consultation, or more information about vaccines or policies: 

Phone: 877.GET.VACC (877.438.8222) DSN 761.4245 

E-Mail: DoDvaccines@mail.mil Website: www.health.mil/vaccines 

• Civilian Healthcare Providers: 

If military member presents to you for a condition that may be an adverse event caused by a military vaccination, please provide the appropriate care. For authorization and payment contact: The Military Treatment Facility (MTF) where the member is enrolled, OR contact the Defense Health Agency-Great Lakes (formerly Military Medical Support Office (MMSO)) at 888.647.6676 if not enrolled to an MTF. 

Important Safety 

Information for 

You and Your 

Family 

What You Need to Know About 

Smallpox Vaccine 

http://www.health.mil/vaccines

Use of trademarked names does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army 

but is intended only to assist in identification of a specific product. 

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited. 

TA-186-
Who should not get smallpox vaccine? (continued from 

previous page) » Using eye drops or ointment » Who are breastfeeding » With recent tattoos (30 days or less), tattoos must be healed before 

receiving the vaccine and no new tattoos should be gotten until the vaccination site is healed 

» Who have had problems after previous doses or are allergic to the 

vaccine or any of its component 

What should I expect the vaccination site to look like after receiving the vaccine? If vaccination is successful, after 2 to 4 days a red and itchy bump will form at the vaccination site. Over the next few days, the bump becomes a blister and fills with pus. During the second week, the blister dries up and a scab forms. The scab falls off after 2 to 4 weeks, leaving a scar. The vaccine virus is present on the skin at the vaccination site for 30 days after vaccination and until the site is healed. 

Smallpox Vaccination Site 

Day 4 Day 7 Day 14 

To verify proper vaccination, it is important for a healthcare provider to evaluate your vaccination site 6 to 8 days after receiving the vaccine. People vaccinated for the first time may have a larger reaction than those being revaccinated. Your site may not look exactly like the picture, because everyone responds differently to the vaccine. However, if your vaccination site does NOT look similar to one of the pictures above, on or between days 6 to 8 after vaccination, see your healthcare provider; you may need to be revaccinated. If you have any questions or concerns about the smallpox vaccination site, contact your healthcare provider. 

How will I feel after vaccination? Most individuals experience mild reactions that usually peak 3 to 12 days after vaccinations and rarely last more than 30 days. The most common reactions include: » Itching at and around the vaccination site » Swollen and/or sore lymph nodes in the armpit and neck » Arm may become sore and red around vaccination site » Fever, headache, and body ache » Fatigue On rare occasions individuals may experience more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the below symptoms it is important that you seek immediate medical care at the nearest medical facility. » Rash or sores elsewhere on the body days to several weeks after vaccination » Allergic reaction (hives, wheezing, or light headed) after vaccination » A serious skin rash in people with eczema or atopic dermatitis » Ongoing infection of skin with tissue destruction or site is unable to heal » Confusion, paralysis, numbness, change in vision, or weakness of arm, leg, or face. » Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath or any other heart symptoms within 30 days of vaccination. These symptoms may indicate an inflammation in and around the heart. Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of these symptoms. Remember to inform your doctor that you recently received a smallpox vaccination. Contact the 24-hour DHA Immunization Healthcare Support Center at 877.GET.VACC (438.8222) and press Option 1 for immediate clinical 

consultation and register with the ACAM2000TM Myopericarditis Registry at 

619.553.9255/DSN 553.9255 or NHRC-VaccineRegistry@med. navy.mil Adverse events after vaccination should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Submit VAERS online at http://vaers.hhs.gov or call 1.800.822.7967. 

How should I care for the vaccination site? Remember the three “W’s”: 1. Wear a non-stick bandage that covers the vaccination site 2. Wear long sleeves to cover the bandage 3. Wash your hands!! To reduce complications and spreading of the disease elsewhere on yoor to someone else: » Keep site completely covered with a dry non-stick bandage (i.e., BtelfaTM pad); DO NOT use gauze » Avoid directly touching the vaccination site » Disposable gloves do not take the place of rigorous handwashingHowever, gloves may be worn during dressing changes for added prot» Do NOT let others touch your vaccination site or materials that matouched your blister, like clothing and bandages » Keep site as dry as possible and when showering keep site covere» Avoid swimming, wrestling, or other contact sports until site is he» Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or a alcohol- bassanitizer Make sure you cover the site with a bandage and wear long sleeves to scratching; especially in bed. Change your bandages frequently so surfremains dry. If you exercise enough to cause sweat to drip, use a waterreinforced bandage. When not around others, you can leave the site unair drying will speed healing. Minimize close contact with infants until healed; at least 30 days after vaccination. Normal bathing can continue, but don’t touch or scrub the vaccination careful when toweling off so as not to spread the virus to other parts obody. Dry the site last by blotting with tissue, toilet paper, or paper toDiscard used bandages and tissue paper in sealed or double plastic bamay add bleach, alcohol, or soap to the bag to kill the virus. Reapply a dry bandage after showering and do not use creams or ointments; thedelay healing and can spread the virus. Do not share clothes, towels, linen, or toiletries with others. To avoid th