Prior to considering vaccination, a careful history should be taken to rule out the presence of conditions in the vaccinee or his/her contacts that may increase the potential for inadvertent inoculation. These include:
- Diseases with disrupted skin such as extensive acne, burns, and other wounds*
- Inflammatory eye disease †
| * |
In general, persons with disruptive
skin lesions from conditions other than eczema/atopic dermatitis
should not be vaccinated until the condition has resolved. However,
the degree of skin disruption may be taken into account. If
only a small area of skin is involved (small burn, wound, etc.),
the person may be considered for vaccination. |
| † |
Inflammatory eye disease that
is being treated with steroids is a contraindication for vaccination
in the vaccine recipient. Inflammatory eye conditions that are
not being treated with steroids may also predispose to rubbing
of the eye and thus increase the risk of inadvertent viral inoculation
in a recent vaccinee. |
Additional instructions should be given to the patient on how to avoid inadvertent inoculation of virus to the involved skin area or eye, include handwashing and coverage of the involved skin area (if possible) as well as the vaccination site.
If additional lesions due to inadvertent inoculation occur, instruct patients in the care of the lesions in order to avoid further transfer to themselves or to others. Please visit the Preventing
Contact page for more detailed information.
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