SMALLPOX FACT SHEET
What to Do After You’ve Gotten the Smallpox Vaccine
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The smallpox vaccine contains a live virus called vaccinia. After vaccination, this live virus is present at the vaccine site and can be spread to other parts of the body or to other individuals through contact. To avoid this, 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). Follow these instructions:
What You Should Do:
- Cover
the vaccination site loosely with a gauze bandage, using first aid adhesive
tape to keep it in place. Keep it covered until the scab
falls off on its own. This bandage will provide a barrier to protect
against spread of the vaccinia virus. (When involved in direct patient
care, healthcare workers should cover the gauze with a semipermeable
(semiocclusive) dressing as an additional barrier. A semipermeable dressing
is one that allows for the passage of air but does not allow for the
passage of fluids.)
- Wear
a shirt that covers the vaccination site
as an extra precaution to prevent spread of
the vaccinia virus. This is particularly important in situations of
close physical contact.
- Change
the bandage every 1 to 3 days. This will keep skin at
the vaccination site from softening and wearing away.
- Wash
hands with soap and hot water or with alcohol-based hand rubs such
as gels or foams after direct contact with the vaccination site, the
bandage or clothes, towels or sheets that might be contaminated with
virus from the vaccination site. This is vital in order
to remove any virus from your hands and prevent contact spread.
- Keep
the vaccination site dry.
Cover the vaccination site with a waterproof bandage when you bathe.
Remember to change back to the loose gauze bandage after bathing.
- Put
the contaminated bandages in a sealed plastic bag and throw them
away in the trash.
- Keep
a separate laundry hamper for clothing, towels,
bedding or other items that may have come in direct contact with the
vaccine site or drainage from the site.
- Wash
clothing or other any material that comes in contact with the vaccination
site,
using
hot water with detergent and/or bleach. Wash hands afterwards.
- When the scab falls off, throw it away in a sealed plastic bag (remember to wash your hands afterwards).
Do Not:
- Don’t
use a bandage that blocks all air from the vaccination site.
This may cause the skin at the vaccination site to soften and wear away.
Use loose gauze secured with medical tape to cover the site.
-
Don’t put salves or ointments on the vaccination site.
- Don’t scratch or pick at the scab.
For more about vaccination, see Smallpox
Vaccine.
CDC public response hotline: |
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Page last reviewed February 21, 2006
Page last modified January 14, 2003