Health Resources

Immunization Reactions

Symptom Definition

• You believe your child is having a reaction to an immunization.
• Reactions to DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), polio, Hemophilus influenzae type b, Hepatitis B, influenza, chickenpox (varicella) and pneumococcus vaccines are covered.
• Most reactions at the injection site occur within 2 days and most general reactions or fever within 7 days.
• evere allergic reactions are very rare, but can occur with any vaccine

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)

• Difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• Limp, weak or not moving
• Unresponsive or difficult to awaken

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Age < 12 weeks with fever > 100.4^oF (38^oC) rectally
  (Exception: occurs within 48 hours after DTP shot)
• Fever > 104°F
• Crying continuously for > 3 hours
• Redness or red streak around the injection site bigger than 1 inch
• Redness around the injection site persists > 48 hours (2 days)

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Fever present > 3 days
• Pain, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site persists > 3 days
• Measles vaccine rash (onset day 7 to 10) persists > 3 days

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home

• Normal immunization reaction and you don’t think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice for Immunization Reactions

1. Local Reaction to the Injection (All vaccines except oral polio):
   • Pain: For initial pain or tenderness at the injection site
     • Apply ice to the area for 20 minutes once.
     • Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen by mouth
   • Fever: For fevers > 102°F (39°C), give acetaminophen (ok to use ibuprofen if > 6 months old)
   • Call Your Doctor If
     • Fever lasts > 3 days.
     • Pain lasts > 3 days.
     • Injection site starts to look infected.
     • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms
2. For DTaP, DTP or DT Reactions: The following harmless reactions to DTP can occur: (Fever and other general reactions are less common with the newer DTaP)
   • Pain, tenderness, swelling or redness at the injection site lasts for 24 to 48 hours (in 51% of children).
   • Fever lasts for 24 to 48 hours (in 47% of children).
   • Mild drowsiness (32%), fretfulness (53%) or poor appetite (21%) for 24 to 48 hours also occurs.
3. Measles Vaccine Reactions:
   The measles vaccine can result in a fever (10% of children), and rash (5% of children) about 7 to 10 days following the injection. The fever is usually between 101 and 103°F (38.4o and 39.5o C) and lasts 2 or 3 days. The mild pink rash is mainly on the trunk and lasts 2 or 3 days. No treatment is necessary. Your child is not contagious.
   Call Your Doctor If
   • Rash becomes very itchy.
   • Rash changes to purple spots.
   • Rash lasts > 3 days.
4. Mumps or Rubella Vaccine:
   There are no reactions except for an occasional sore injection site.
5. Polio Vaccine:
   • There are no serious reactions to oral polio vaccine. Polio vaccine by injection occasionally causes some muscle soreness.
6. Hib Vaccine (Hemophilus influenzae Type b Vaccine):
   • No serious reactions reported.
   • Sore injection site or mild fever only occurs in 1.5% of children
7. Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine (HBV):
   • No serious reactions reported.
   • Sore injection site occurs in 30% of children and mild fever in 3% of children.
   • Because fever from the vaccine is rare, any infant < 3 mo with a fever following the vaccine should be examined
8. Influenza Virus Vaccine:
   • Pain, tenderness or swelling at the injection site occurs within 6 to 8 hours in 10% of children.
   • Fever 101 to 103°F (38.4° to 39.5°C) occurs in 18% of children. Fevers mainly occur in young children.
9. Chickenpox Vaccine:
   • Pain or swelling at the injection site for 1 to 2 days (in 19% of children)
   • Fever lasting 1 to 3 days begins 17 to 28 days after the vaccine (in 14%) Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever > 102°F (39°C). Never give aspirin for fever, pain or within 6 weeks of receiving the vaccine (Reason: risk of Reye's syndrome – a rare but serious brain disease)
   • Chickenpox-like vaccine rash (usually 2 lesions) at the injection site (in 3%)
   • Chickenpox-like vaccine rash (usually 5 lesions) scattered over the body (in 4%)
   • This mild rash begins 5 to 26 days after the vaccine and usually lasts a few days.
   • Children with these vaccine rashes can go to day care or school. (Reason: for practical purposes, vaccine rashes are not contagious)
   • EXCEPTION: avoid school if widespread, weepy lesions (Reason: probably actual chickenpox).
   • Precaution: if vaccine rash contains fluid, cover it with clothing or Band-Aid.
10. Pneumococcus Vaccine:
    • Pain, tenderness, swelling OR redness at the injection site in 15-30%
    • Mild fever < 102°F (39°C) in 15% for 1-2 days
    • No serious reactions

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