Smallpox is an acute, contagious illness characterized by fever, backache, and severe headache followed by the appearance of an eruption of papules and vesicles which become pustular by the eighth day. Although smallpox disease has been eradicated worldwide, researchers sometimes still use the vaccinia virus, which is the virus used in the smallpox vaccine. These research faculty and staff may obtain smallpox vaccine from OHC at no charge. Planned, pre-exposure vaccination protects workers from potential complications of accidental exposure, such as a needlestick or a splash of the vaccinia virus to the eye.
Additional information:
CDC Smallpox Hotline: (888) 246-2675
