The University of Iowa

Vaccinia Immunization

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination (every 10 years) with ACAM2000 (the smallpox vaccine) for laboratory personnel who directly handle 1) cultures or 2) animals contaminated or infected with replication-competent vaccinia virus, recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from replication-competent vaccinia strains, or other orthopoxviruses that infect humans (e.g., monkeypox, cowpox, and variola).

University of Iowa staff working with vaccinia are offered the vaccine, at no cost to the employee, and must sign a form acknowledging that they understand the risk of acquiring infection from occupational exposure and their choice to either accept or decline the vaccination at that time. Staff that originally decline vaccination can opt to accept vaccination at any point. 

The “Vaccinia Immunization Packet” linked below contains the form that should be completed, as well as information about the vaccine.

Questions about the vaccine can be directed to University Employee Health Clinic Staff (356-3631).

Contact Information and Areas of expertise can be found on the Contact Us page.

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External Links