Examples of Major or “Take” Reactions to Smallpox Vaccination

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This information is about preventing or responding to smallpox. For the latest information about the current monkeypox outbreak, including information on symptoms, prevention, and vaccines, please visit CDC’s Monkeypox site.

Formation of a papule, vesicle, ulcer, or crusted central lesion by days 6 to 8 after vaccination signifies a response to vaccination; this event is referred to as a major reaction or a “take,” and usually results in a scar.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Large vesicle on erythematous base. Source: NIH, digital enhancement %26copy; Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Large vesicle on erythematous base. Source: NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Minimal surrounding erythema at 8 days. Source: NIH, digital enhancement %26copy; Logical Images.

Norml primary, 8 days post vaccination. Minimal surrounding erythema at 8 days. Source: NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Grayish pustule, with difficult to detect surrounding erythema in dark skin. Source: NIH, digital enhancement %26copy; Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Grayish pustule, with difficult to detect surrounding erythema in dark skin. Source: NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Grayish colored pustule with minimal detectable erythema in this very dark skin type. Source: NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Small vesicle with minimal erythema at 8 days post vaccination. Source: NIH, digital enhancement %26copy; Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Small vesicle with minimal erythema at 8 days post vaccination. Source: NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Bi-lobed normal pustule with minimal surrounding erythema at 8 days post vaccination. Source: NIH, digital enhancement %26copy; Logical Images.

Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. “Bi-lobed” normal pustule with minimal surrounding erythema at 8 days post vaccination. Source: NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

Page last reviewed: December 5, 2016
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP)