What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Fever or infection
- History of fainting
- Weakened immune system
- An unusual or allergic reaction to smallpox and monkeypox vaccine, other vaccines, medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
- Medications that lower your chance of fighting an infection
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular health checks.
Before you receive this vaccine, talk to your care team if you have an acute illness. Vaccines can be given to people with mild acute illness, such as the common cold or diarrhea. Discuss with your care team the risks and benefits of receiving this vaccine during a moderate to severe illness. Your care team may choose to wait to give you the vaccine when you feel better.
Cases of inflammation of the heart have been reported after receiving the smallpox vaccine. It is not known whether the smallpox and monkeypox vaccine causes heart inflammation. Talk to your care team right away if you are unusually weak or tired, have trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, joint pain, swelling of the ankles, feet, hands or other unusual swelling. Adolescents or young adult males at an increased risk of inflammation of the heart may consider waiting 4 weeks after smallpox and monkeypox vaccination before getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Report any side effects to your care team or to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) website at https://vaers.hhs.gov. This is only for reporting side effects; VAERS staff do not give medical advice.