According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who have been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis are more likely to develop a serious complication if they are exposed to the virus from the smallpox vaccine.

 

People with atopic dermatitis should exercise caution when coming into close physical contact with a person who has recently been vaccinated. People who have atopic dermatitis and have had physical contact with a vaccinated person's unhealed vaccination site, their bedding, or other items that might have touched that site, should notify their doctor, particularly if they develop a new or unusual rash.

 

During a smallpox outbreak, vaccination recommendations may change. People with atopic dermatitis who have been exposed to smallpox should consult their doctor about vaccination.