JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee

Smallpox Immunization

1. Immunized Individual
ObligatoryMust not donate if:
a) The inoculation site has not fully healed.

b) Any secondarily infected site has not fully healed.

c) Less than eight weeks from inoculation or from the appearance of any secondarily infected site.
Additional InformationSmallpox immunization is with live virus. By eight weeks, the infection caused by the inoculation should have been controlled. If the wound has not healed it is possible that there may still be infection present. We do not want to pass the virus, or other infection, on to other donors, staff or to people receiving donated material.
InformationThis entry is compliant with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.
Update InformationThis entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 202, Release 02.
2. Contact
ObligatoryMust not donate if:
a) Any secondarily infected site has not yet healed.

b) Less than eight weeks after secondarily infected site appeared.
DiscretionaryIf no new skin lesions, accept.
Additional InformationClose contacts of vaccinees (household or direct bodily contact) may become secondarily infected from direct skin contact with an infected inoculation site or from virus on clothing, bedding, dressings etc. If infection occurs, a new skin rash, blister or sore appears at the site of contact, which could be anywhere on the body. The rash represents a secondary vaccination site and presents exactly the same potential risk to patients, other donors and staff as that from a person who has been intentionally immunized.
InformationThis entry is compliant with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.
Update InformationThis entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 202, Release 02.
Donor InformationIf you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.