Which of the following are contraindications to smallpox vaccination?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following are contraindications to smallpox vaccination?

The main idea is that the smallpox vaccine uses live vaccinia virus, so certain conditions raise the risk of serious adverse reactions or disseminated infection and thus prevent vaccination. Eczema is a concern because individuals with active or a history of eczema are at high risk for eczema vaccinatum, a severe, potentially life-threatening disseminated vaccinia infection. Immunodeficiency matters because any weakened immune system can fail to contain the vaccine virus, leading to widespread, dangerous infection. Pregnancy is also a contraindication since vaccinia infection can involve the fetus and cause fetal vaccinia, with potential serious consequences. Because each of these conditions independently argues against vaccination, all of the above are contraindications.

The main idea is that the smallpox vaccine uses live vaccinia virus, so certain conditions raise the risk of serious adverse reactions or disseminated infection and thus prevent vaccination.

Eczema is a concern because individuals with active or a history of eczema are at high risk for eczema vaccinatum, a severe, potentially life-threatening disseminated vaccinia infection. Immunodeficiency matters because any weakened immune system can fail to contain the vaccine virus, leading to widespread, dangerous infection. Pregnancy is also a contraindication since vaccinia infection can involve the fetus and cause fetal vaccinia, with potential serious consequences.

Because each of these conditions independently argues against vaccination, all of the above are contraindications.

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