Society for assisted reproductive technology position statement on donor suitability of recipients of smallpox vaccine (vaccinia virus)

Abstract

Although there is presently no definitive evidence linking vaccinia virus transmission through reproductive cells, SART/ASRM accordingly recommends that assisted reproductive technology (ART) practitioners consider deferring donors who have recently received smallpox vaccine or contracted symptomatic vaccinia virus infection through close contact with a vaccine recipient (until after the vaccine or infectious scab has spontaneously separated). Good donor practice further suggests that donors who are not in good health, including those with recent complications from smallpox vaccine, should be similarly deferred.