Drug interactions
Smallpox vaccine live + Tetanus immune globulin
Severity: Minor
Smallpox vaccine live and Tetanus immune globulin: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Passive antibodies in immune globulin products can neutralize live vaccine virus and blunt the immune response. For vaccinia vaccine the evidence is much weaker than for measles or varicella vaccines, and the interference is largely theoretical.
What this interaction means in plain words
Smallpox vaccine live and Tetanus immune globulin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Passive antibodies may neutralize replication of the live vaccine virus, reducing the immune response.
What to do
Where timing is flexible, give the live vaccine before the immune globulin or defer it per local immunization guidance. Do not delay vaccination in an emergency exposure setting.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Tetanus immune globulin
- Efgartigimod / hyaluronidase sc + Tetanus immune globulin Moderate
- Efgartigimod alfa + Tetanus immune globulin Moderate
- Rozanolixizumab + Tetanus immune globulin Moderate
- Tetanus immune globulin + Varicella virus vaccine live Moderate
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tetanus immune globulin Minor
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Tetanus immune globulin Minor
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Smallpox vaccine live with Tetanus immune globulin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Smallpox vaccine live and Tetanus immune globulin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Passive antibodies in immune globulin products can neutralize live vaccine virus and blunt the immune response. For vaccinia vaccine the evidence is much weaker than for measles or varicella vaccines, and the interference is largely theoretical.
How serious is the interaction between Smallpox vaccine live and Tetanus immune globulin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Where timing is flexible, give the live vaccine before the immune globulin or defer it per local immunization guidance. Do not delay vaccination in an emergency exposure setting.
What other medicines interact with Tetanus immune globulin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tetanus immune globulin with, for example, Efgartigimod / hyaluronidase sc, Efgartigimod alfa, Rozanolixizumab. The full list is on the Tetanus immune globulin page.
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