Vaccine Adverse Reaction Images

About

The images below show examples of autoinoculation sites and adverse reactions to the smallpox vaccine.

Example Images

Find images of normal reactions on the "major takes" page.

Major or "Take" Reactions‎

See examples of normal reactions to the vaccine on the "Major or 'Take' Reactions" page.
See images

Pictures labeled from CDC are in the public domain. All other pictures are posted with the permission of the copyright holders and may be downloaded for personal use but may not be reproduced without the express permission of the copyright holder.

A small child with a large lesion on their arm
Progressive vaccinia (vaccinia necrosum), which was fatal, in a child with an immunodeficiency.
SOURCE:

Reprinted with permission of WHO. Original photo by C.H. Kempe. From Fenner F, Henderson DA, et al. Smallpox and its Eradication. WHO. 1988.

A child with a red rash on his cheek and a white pustule on his arm
Accidental autoinoculation of cheek with vaccinia virus, approximately 5 days old. Primary take on arm, 10-12 days old.
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, MD.

A woman's face with a swollen and red eye
Accidental autoinoculation of lower eyelid with vaccinia virus.
SOURCE:

Reprinted with permission of WHO. Original photo by C.H. Kempe. From Fenner F, Henderson DA, et al. Smallpox and its Eradication. WHO. 1988.

A very swollen and red child's eye
Accidental autoinoculation of eyelid with vaccinia virus with concurrent cellulitis.
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, M.D.

An infant with a red rash all over
Generalized vaccinia in an apparently normal child. Recovered without sequelae.
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, M.D.

A small child with crusted scabs on their face
Eczema vaccinatum.
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, M.D.

A dark-skinned infant's torso and legs, covered in scabs and rash
Eczema vaccinatum
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, M.D.

A child's face covered in eczema vaccinatum scabs, particularly over the forehead and eyes
Eczema vaccinatum in contact to recently vaccinated child. Recovered without sequelae or permanent ocular damage.
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, M.D.

An infant lay on a bed, their torso, arms, legs, and head covered in rash and scabs
Eczema vaccinatum in an unvaccinated contact to a vaccinated sibling.
SOURCE:

Reprinted with permission of WHO. Original photo by I.D. Ladnyi. From Fenner F, Henderson DA, et al. Smallpox and its Eradication. WHO. 1988.

A person holds up their arm, which is swollen and has a large, scabbing lesion
Progressive vaccinia (vaccinia necrosum) in patient with chronic granulocytic leukemia.
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, M.D

A close up of an arm, which is swollen, red, and has a large lesion
Another view of progressive vaccinia (vaccinia necrosum) lesion in patient with chronic granulocytic leukemia.
SOURCE:

Photo courtesy of John M. Leedom, M.D.

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)