Protecting Pets and Other Animals After You Get the Smallpox Vaccine
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About the Smallpox Vaccine
The smallpox vaccine does not contain smallpox, but it does
contain a virus called vaccinia. If you receive a smallpox
vaccination, you can spread the vaccinia virus from your
vaccination site until it has completely healed and the scab has
fallen off, usually in about three weeks. Until that time, you
will need to take precautions to avoid infecting yourself or
others who come in close personal contact with you.
Some pets and other animals may also be susceptible to the
vaccinia virus; a few special precautions will minimize the
chance of spreading the virus to them as well.
Protecting Pets and Other Animals
Different animals may have varying risks of illness from
exposure to the vaccinia virus. The best way to protect all pets
and other animals is to follow these guidelines for three weeks
(or until you are no longer contagious, see above) after you have
been vaccinated:
- Do not let animals sniff or have any direct contact with
your vaccination site.
- Do not let animals have any contact with the bandages,
clothing, towels, sheets, etc. that have touched the
vaccination site or the scab.
- Keep pets out of the room when you are changing bandages,
clothes, towels, or sheets.
- Before allowing your pet back into the room after you
have changed your bandage, handle and dispose of all
contaminated materials safely:
- Place used bandages and gauze in a plastic zipper bag
before throwing them away. You should do the same
with your scab when it falls off.
- Cover trash containers tightly, and take them to an
area that is inaccessible to pets and rodents.
- Use normal laundering (hot water with bleach and
detergent) to wash clothing, towels or sheets that
have touched the vaccination site.
- Wash your hands after touching the vaccination site or
other things that have touched the site, such as bandages
or clothing.
- Wash your hands after touching the vaccination site and
before touching anything else, including your eyes, skin,
or pets.
- Before handling “pocket pets” such as guinea
pigs, hamsters, and other rodents, make sure your
vaccination site is bandaged and your hands are washed.
- Do not allow animals to crawl up your sleeve or have
access to the skin area around your bandage.
- People who care for livestock should wear long-sleeved
clothing and wash their hands before milking or having
contact with the animals.
If your animal has any unusual symptoms and you think it could
have been exposed to the vaccinia virus accidentally, call your
local health office and your veterinarian.
For more information on smallpox and smallpox vaccine, visit www.doh.wa.gov.
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