SKIN CONDITIONS
What You Need to Know About the Smallpox Vaccine
(courtesy of the CDC and the American Academy of Dermatology) WHAT IS SMALLPOX? Smallpox is a serious disease that can kill up to 30% of people infected with it. It is caused by a virus called VARIOLA which is spread from person to person via close contact. It can cause a rash (leaves scars when healed), fever, fatigue, severe headaches and backaches, and blindness. WHY GET VACCINATED? The vaccine protects people who work with smallpox or related viruses in a lab. Common thinking is now that countries hostile to the US might have the smallpox virus and could use this as a biological weapon. The vaccine can protect healthcare workers from the disease. During an outbreak or emergency, the vaccine can protect people exposed to the virus. SMALLPOX VACCINE: This is made from the vaccinia virus. It is similar to the smallpox virus, but less harmful. It can protect people from Smallpox. Getting the vaccine BEFORE exposure will protect most people from smallpox. Getting the vaccine within 3 days after exposure can prevent the disease or make it less severe. Getting the vaccine within a week after exposure can make the disease less severe. Protection lasts 3-5 years, and protection from severe illness or death can last 10 years or more. 
WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE? Anyone DIRECTLY exposed to smallpox virus should get 1 dose of the vaccine as soon as possible after exposure. Anyone AT RISK of exposure should get the vaccine when the risk occurs or becomes known. You can be revaccinated after 3-10 years, depending on the risk. AFTER THE VACCINE: A blister will form at the vaccination site. Later it will develop
a scab and when the scab falls off, there will be a scar. Pain and
tenderness of the lymph nodes can last for 2--4 weeks after the
blister has healed. You can experience itching CARE OF THE VACCINE: UNTIL THE SCAB FALLS OFF, YOU CAN SPREAD THIS TO OTHER PEOPLE OR TO OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY. Keep the area loosely covered with a gauze bandage. Change the bandage as needed, every 1-3 days. Put the discarded bandages in a ziplock bag before throwing away. WHO SHOULD NOT GET THE VACCINE: ANYONE with a history of eczema (atopic dermatitis) ANYONE with a skin condition that causes breaks in the skin (i.e.: impetigo, rashes, burns, etc.) ANYONE who has HIV/AIDS or weakened immune system from drugs, autoimmune disease, or patients with Leukemia, Lymphoma, or most other cancers. WOMEN should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after getting the vaccination. ANYONE UNDER the age of 17. ANYONE who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to Polymyxin B, streptomycin, Neomycin or a previous dose of smallpox vaccine. Breast feeding mothers. RISKS FROM THE VACCINE: 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VACCINE, contact the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC): | ||||||||||||||||||
at
the vaccination site and other feelings of malaise, fatigue, headaches
and muscle aches.