Examples of Major or “Take” Reactions to Smallpox Vaccination

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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.

Example images

A red, raised pustule on light skin
Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Large vesicle on erythematous base.
SOURCE:

NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

A whitish raised pustule on light skin
Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Minimal surrounding erythema at 8 days.
SOURCE:

NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

A close up of a grayish pustule from smallpox vaccination on dark skin
Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Grayish pustule, with difficult to detect surrounding erythema in dark skin.
SOURCE:

IH, digital enhancement ©Logical Images, Inc.

A raised greyish lesion on dark skin
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.

A small, raised lesion on light skin
Normal primary, 8 days post vaccination. Small vesicle with minimal erythema at 8 days post vaccination.
SOURCE:

NIH, digital enhancement © Logical Images.

A raised whitish pustule with red edges on light skin
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.

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