Common Adverse Vaccine Reactions
Simple Remedies for Inoculation Side Effects in Babies and Children
Oct 26, 2009
Vaccinations can help protect children against infectious illness and disease. Three doses of the MMR or measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can provide immunity to over 90% of all children who receive the vaccine. Measles is one of the most contagious illnesses in the world and can cause brain damage. Mumps can cause sterility and deafness. Rubella can cause mental retardation in a fetus if a pregnant woman catches it.
Other vaccinations given to children include the DTaP that offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus and polio and the Hib vaccine that can help protect against a form of meningitis.
Common Vaccine Reactions and Side Effects
The vast majority of babies and small children who are vaccinated will suffer no consequences as a result. However, a small number of children may experience reactions to common vaccinations. Adverse vaccine reactions include fits of high pitched crying, fever, swelling at the injection site, nausea, chills, rash and headaches. An even smaller number of babies and small children may experience other more serious side effects such seizures.
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risks of a vaccine reaction vary from vaccine to vaccine. One child in six will experience a fever after administration of the MMR vaccine. Fever is also common after administration of the DTaP vaccine with a rate of one in four. Fussiness may occur in one in three children as a result and vomiting in one in 50 children.
Parents can expect any vaccine reaction typically within a day to three days.
There are many different ways to treat vaccine reactions.
Remedies to Treat Reactions
Many nursing babies respond well to more frequent breastfeeding sessions. Even an older baby who has not yet weaned may seek increased nursing time after a bout of shots.
Many doctors recommend giving babies a dose of medications such as Children’s Tylenol to help bring down a fever and get rid of a headache. A bath in tepid water can also help small babies feel better if they still have an elevated temperature. Babies who are fussy often respond well to a short car trip or time spent rocking in a rocking chair with a known caregiver.
A baby that has difficulty keeping down fluids may benefit from the use of rehydration fluids such as Pedialyte that can help combat diarrhea as well. Give the baby small doses of liquid in quick intervals.
Vaccine reactions are not uncommon. Parents should call their pediatricians to report any unusual side effects after a child receives a shot. Any seizures should be treated as soon as possible. A doctor can help make sure that babies and small children get proper pain relief for minor vaccine reactions.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control Website / Possible Vaccine Side Effects
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