When a newborn appears in a family, all attention is focused on his development, education and, most importantly, health. Protecting the baby from any disease is the main goal of loving parents. After birth, the baby has an undeveloped and very weak immune system. And, leaving the womb, he is immediately attacked by microorganisms that cause various diseases. Why does a child have a fever after a flu shot? With breast milk in the first six months, the factors of human immunity enter the baby, but even they will not help the child's body cope with a dangerous disease. Therefore, the baby needs additional protection that will maintain immunity for up to a year.
Infants who are fed with formula especially need timely vaccination.
So, what vaccinations are given to infants during the year, their roles, what to do after vaccination in case of negative reactions? This is our article.
Why vaccination is needed
Immunization is a healthy choice that saves lives.
Vaccines have saved the lives of more babies and children than any other medical intervention in the past half century. When you immunize your child, you shield them from disease and potential hazards such as meningitis, pneumonia, paralysis, deafness, seizures, brain damage, or even death.
For better protection, experts advise you to follow the general schedule and get all vaccinations on time. Delaying or extending the interval between vaccines is not recommended and can be risky.
Reasons why it is better to follow a routine immunization plan:
- the general schedule (calendar) is safe and works very well;
- there is a guarantee that the child will be protected to the maximum;
- the risk of side effects is the same, whether it's one vaccine or four;
- you will reduce the number of visits and time spent on getting your shots if they all go according to plan.
Types of vaccines
- Live vaccine. A weakened living microorganism is presented as an antigen. This includes vaccines against poliomyelitis (in the form of droplets), mumps, rubella.
- Inactivated vaccine. Contains a killed microorganism or its element, for example, a cell wall. These include vaccines for whooping cough, meningococcal infection, rabies.
- Toxoids. The antigen is represented by an inactivated (not causing any harm to the human body) toxin that the pathogen produces. They are included in diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
- Biosynthetic vaccine. It is obtained using the method of genetic engineering. For example, the hepatitis B vaccine.
Vaccines that must be given to a child under one year old
Hepatitis B vaccine
This is the best defense against hepatitis B, a potentially serious disease.
Also protects other people from getting sick, because children with hepatitis B usually do not have symptoms, but they can infect others. The vaccine prevents a child from developing liver disease and cancer from hepatitis B.
All babies should receive their first hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth. This injection acts as a safety net, reducing the risk of infection from moms or family members who sometimes don't know they are sick.
When mom has hepatitis B, there is additional medication to help protect the baby. It is an immune globulin against hepatitis B. It gives the baby's body a “stimulus” or additional help in fighting the virus immediately after birth. This injection works best if the baby receives it within the first 12 hours of his life. The child will also need to complete a full cycle of hepatitis B immunization for best protection.
Vaccine against tuberculosis
Vaccination against tuberculosis - BCG. It is done to the baby on the second or third day after birth. Unlike hepatitis, tuberculosis is more contagious (infectious) due to the mode of transmission. Therefore, BCG vaccination is required.
The BCG vaccine is made from a weakened strain of tuberculosis bacteria. Because the bacteria in the vaccine are weak, it forces the immune system to defend against the disease, giving good immunity to children who get it without actually getting sick.
The vaccine is 70 - 80% effective against the most serious forms of tuberculosis, such as tuberculous meningitis in children. It is less effective in preventing respiratory manifestations of tuberculosis, which is more common in adults.
Mantoux test
The main method of examining children for tuberculosis. This is not a vaccine, but an immunological test that shows the presence or absence of infection in the body. It is produced by assessing the reaction of the skin to a special preparation of mycobacteria - tuberculin.
Until one year, the Mantoux test is not done. This is due to the immaturity of cellular immunity and the frequency of false results. The first time the sample is put in one year, and then annually up to 14 years.
DTP vaccine
Helps children develop immunity to three deadly diseases - tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. They are all bacterial infections. Providing the DPT vaccine at the correct age and in accordance with the recommended schedule protects the child from illness and ensures good health.
If the child's health is in order, then he receives the first DPT vaccine at 3 months, and the other two - every one and a half months.
Polio vaccine
Protects against poliomyelitis, a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that damages the nervous system.
Children under one year old are given 3 doses of the vaccine: at 3 months, 4.5 and 6 months.
Hemophilus influenza vaccine
Immunization protects against severe bacterial infections that mainly affect infants and children under 5 years of age. The bacteria can cause epiglottitis (severe inflammation of the epiglottis that makes breathing very difficult), severe pneumonia, and meningitis.
Recommended schedule:
- 3 months;
- 4.5 months;
- 6 months;
- 18 months.
It is especially important that children receive this vaccine on schedule because the diseases it prevents tend to affect children under 2 years of age.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Protects against pneumococcal infections, which most often occur in children under 5 years of age and lead to some dangerous childhood illnesses.
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria cause infection in the respiratory tract, middle ear, or sinus cavities.
Antibacterial drugs like penicillin can eliminate them, but up to 30% of strains are resistant to antibiotics.
Interesting. Pneumococcal bacteria are spread by close contact, sneezing and coughing. Serious illnesses, including pneumonia and meningitis, can develop within days after infection.
Pneumococcal bacteria also cause some of the worst ear infections in children. But research shows that the number of infants and young children with ear infections has dropped significantly since the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
Recommended ages for vaccination:
- 2 months;
- 4.5 months;
- 15 months.
Vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella
It is a combined, effective and safe vaccine that protects against three separate diseases - rubella, measles, mumps. Vaccination in the form of one vaccination. A complete vaccination course requires two doses.
Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious conditions that have serious and potentially fatal consequences, including meningitis, cerebral edema (a complication of encephalitis), and deafness.
Typically, these vaccines are given to children at one and six years of age.
Children under one year old are not prescribed a vaccine, since antibodies to rubella, mumps, measles are transmitted from mother to child at birth, persist and can work against the vaccine. Consequently, the vaccine will be ineffective.
These maternal antibodies decline with age and almost all disappear. Then the vaccine against rubella, mumps, measles is prescribed.
Flu vaccine
It is a seasonal influenza virus vaccine that is developed every year based on likely circulating influenza strains. The vaccine is given to all children from 6 months of age annually.
Contraindications to vaccination
The question that often comes from young mothers, namely, what are the contraindications, deserves special attention.
Currently, the list of contraindications has been reduced. This has a logical explanation:
- Long-term observation and research has shown that the infection for which children receive the vaccine is much more difficult in individuals for whom vaccination was previously contraindicated. For example, in children with malnutrition and infected with tuberculosis, the disease is much more severe. Premature babies infected with pertussis are at greater risk of death. Rubella is much more difficult in patients with diabetes, and influenza - in patients with bronchial asthma. Cancellation of vaccinations for these children is putting them at great risk.
- Studies conducted under the supervision of the WHO have shown that the period after vaccination in these children is the same as in healthy children. It has been established that chronic diseases do not worsen during vaccination.
- Improvements in vaccine production methods have led to significant reductions in protein and dietary fiber that can trigger adverse reactions. For example, a number of vaccines have a minimum or no egg protein content. This allows these vaccines to be provided to children who are allergic to egg white.
Types of contraindications
- The true ones are indicated in the instructions for vaccines and international recommendations.
- False are not contraindications. These are just parental prejudices or folk traditions.
- Absolute Restrictions - Immunization is prohibited, even if the vaccine is included in the mandatory schedule.
Relative are contraindications associated with true ones, but the doctor makes a conclusion about immunization, correlating each of the decisions with risks. For example, if you are allergic to egg white, you cannot get the flu vaccine, but in the case of a dangerous epidemic condition, the risk of allergy reduces the risk of getting the flu.
In a number of countries, this factor is not a contraindication. Preparations are provided to reduce the risk of developing allergies.
Temporary contraindications. For example, SARS or exacerbation of chronic ailments. After recovery, the child is allowed to administer the vaccine.
Permanent. They are never canceled. For example, primary immunodeficiency in children.
General. They apply to all vaccines. For example, a child cannot be immunized if he has a fever or is suffering from an acute illness.
Private. These are contraindications that apply to only a few vaccines, but other vaccinations are allowed.
General contraindications to immunization
Immunization should be delayed if the subject suffers from any known acute illness. Minor infections without fever or systemic distress are not contraindications.
Live vaccines should not be given to pregnant women regularly because of the potential harm to the fetus. However, when there is a significant risk of exposure (eg, polio), the need to vaccinate the unvaccinated mother outweighs any risk to the fetus.
Live vaccines should not be given:
- patients receiving high-dose corticosteroids (eg, prednisolone 2 mg / kg / day for more than a week), with immunosuppressive treatment, including general radiation and chemotherapy;
- those suffering from malignant conditions such as lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, or other tumors;
- patients with impaired immunological mechanisms. For example, with hypogammaglobulinemia.
Live vaccines should be delayed until at least 3 months after corticosteroid cessation and up to six months after chemotherapy ends.
Some viral vaccines contain small amounts of antibiotics (Penicillin, Neomycin, or Polymyxin). Such vaccines should not be provided to persons with documented hypersensitivity to such antibiotics.
Live viral vaccines should not be given for 3 months after immunoglobulin injection because the immune response may be inhibited.
False contraindications for vaccination
The following conditions are NOT contraindications for any of the vaccines on the standard schedule:
- family history (history) of any adverse reactions after immunization;
- a history of convulsions;
- a previous illness associated with whooping cough, measles, rubella, or mumps infection;
- prematurity (vaccination should not be delayed);
- stable neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome;
- contact with a patient suffering from an infectious disease;
- jaundice after birth;
- low body weight in a healthy child.
Interesting questions
Should vaccination be postponed if my child has a cold or upper respiratory illness?
Infants with minor coughs and colds without fever, or those receiving antibiotics during the recovery phase of an acute illness, can be immunized safely and effectively. Immunization should be postponed if the child is seriously ill or has a high fever before vaccination. Immunization should be given 1 to 2 weeks after recovery.
Children with chronic illnesses should be vaccinated as a matter of priority. However, care must be taken in situations where a child's illness or treatment can lead to impaired immunity.
Should children with allergies be immunized?
Asthma, eczema, allergies are not contraindications to any vaccine. An important exception is genuine severe egg allergy.
An anaphylactic reaction to eggs (hives, swelling of the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, low blood pressure, or shock) is usually a contraindication to the flu vaccine.
The vaccine against rubella, mumps, measles can be given to these children under close supervision, since anaphylactic reactions to these vaccines are extremely rare, even in children with a proven severe allergy to eggs.
Common side effects of vaccination
Vaccines, like any medication, can have side effects. For most vaccines, serious side effects are extremely rare. The risks of vaccines are much lower than the risks of the diseases they prevent.
Different vaccines have different side effects, most of which are mild.
These include:
- temporary pain;
- redness, swelling, or soreness at the injection site;
- short-term symptoms of a cold.
These side effects develop in one in four children who receive the vaccine. They appear shortly after the injection and should go away after one or two days. If these symptoms persist, see your doctor.
Side effects of certain vaccines
Hepatitis B vaccine
This vaccine is considered safe, but has some risks:
- permissible side effects: moderate fever, soreness and swelling at the injection site, dizziness, nausea, discomfort, sore throat, runny nose, weakness. These symptoms can be observed for several hours or several days, but usually they do not have a severe impact on health;
- effect on the nervous system.When the vaccine has a negative effect on the nervous system, the observed symptoms include a burning sensation on the surface of the skin, numbness and pain throughout the body, and headache. In some severe cases, the vaccine causes inflammation of the brain, which often leads to an increase in body temperature. Convulsions and fainting can also occur as a result of the nervous system exposure to the vaccine;
- allergic reactions. This can be a serious side effect of the vaccine. Symptoms of allergic reactions include itching, skin rashes, inflammation in the mouth, hives, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, chest discomfort, and asthma. These manifestations can be life threatening for a child if he is allergic to baker's yeast, since the vaccine is produced with the help of baker's yeast. In such a situation, the baby should not be vaccinated at all.
Vaccination is needed to protect against serious illness. It should be noted that adverse events with hepatitis B vaccine are rarely serious, so vaccination should not be avoided for fear of an adverse reaction.
BCG vaccine
Newborn reactions to BCG can be classified as delayed-type reactions. That is, significant consequences appear after a certain time. And a number of changes are normal processes. The vaccine is generally well tolerated by newborns.
The most common BCG effects are presented below:
- redness of the BCG injection site. A small abscess and redness is a normal response to the vaccine. Redness may persist after suppuration because a scar forms on the skin. However, this should not apply to adjacent fabrics;
- suppuration at the injection site of BCG. This is a normal reaction. The site should have some sort of puncture abscess with a crust in the middle. But all adjacent tissues remain normal;
If you see swelling and redness around the BCG injection site, you should consult a doctor.
- edema (swelling) after BCG injection. Immediately after the injection, the skin may swell slightly, but after 2 - 3 days the swelling goes away on its own. And 1.5 months after the injection, a true reaction appears with a small crust of abscess;
- inflammation of the BCG injection site. Usually the vaccine is characterized by mild inflammation. Serious problems can be expected with the spread of edema and redness of the skin on the shoulder outside the puncture site;
- itching. The injection site may itch. This is due to the dynamic healing process of the skin structures. But you cannot comb and rub this place;
- fever in infants after a BCG reaction is rare. Usually it is no more than 37.5 degrees Celsius.
In all other cases of manifestations of a BCG reaction, you must immediately consult a specialist in order to avoid complications.
Mantoux test
The Mantoux test can provoke an allergic reaction and side effects in children. Skin problems (dermatological reactions) and bowel disorders (vomiting and diarrhea) are possible.
Can a child have a fever after the Mantoux vaccination? In general, the reaction to tuberculin is only local. But in some cases, the baby may have a fever, he will complain of headache and weakness.
DTP
- Approximately 25% of children who receive the DPT vaccine experience minor side effects. These include low-grade fever, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site. In addition, children may experience moodiness, fatigue, or vomiting after immunization.
- Moderate side effects include seizures; continuous crying that lasts more than three hours. And the temperature in a child after the DPT vaccination above 40 degrees is less common.
- Children may experience rare but serious complications such as brachial neuritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
Brachial neuritis is an inflammation of the nerve bundles in the shoulder, arms, and fingers, resulting in muscle weakness or atrophy.
Guillain-Barré syndrome includes symptoms of blurred vision, paralysis, and low blood pressure.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis presents with headaches, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, seizures, and coma.
Polio vaccine
Adverse reactions from the polio vaccine are rare and usually mild:
- Occasionally, muscle pain appears, and swelling and redness develop at the injection site.
- Possible low-grade fever after vaccination against polio in a child, irritability, prolonged crying, drowsiness and fatigue.
Hemophilus influenza vaccine
- Up to 30 percent of children have redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site. Fever and irritability are rare. These symptoms appear within a day after vaccination and last two to three days.
- Severe allergic reactions are rare, but possible, as with any vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccine
- Most children are moody and irritable after being vaccinated.
- About half of the vaccinated children become sleepy, lose their appetite, and have redness or discomfort at the injection site.
- Each of three children may have a swelling at the injection site.
- One in 3 develops a mild fever and 1 in 20 has a high fever.
- Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
Vaccine against rubella, mumps, measles
Very few people experience side effects of this vaccine. Almost 80% of children given this vaccine have no problem. If there are any side effects, they are mild compared to the actual symptoms of measles, mumps, or rubella.
Some potential side effects of the vaccine include:
- mild to high fever;
- mild measles rash;
- loss of appetite;
- swelling of the neck or salivary parotid glands;
- febrile seizures;
- joint pain and stiffness (stiffness) in them;
- slight temporary swelling in the joints;
- the injection area remains red or swollen.
Very rarely, the following side effects were observed in children:
- decreased level of consciousness;
- low blood pressure;
- difficulty breathing;
- swelling of the oral mucosa;
- a decrease in the number of blood platelets, leading to bleeding problems.
The above serious side effects affect a very small percentage of the infected population, for example 1 in 30,000 children will have a low blood platelet count.
Flu vaccine
The most common symptom of a flu vaccine reaction is pain at the injection site. A low-grade fever may develop after a flu shot in a child, especially if the child has not been exposed to the flu virus. Children will feel sick and tired. These manifestations can last up to two days.
Less than one percent of people who receive the vaccine report symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle pain. Research shows that people who receive a placebo injection (no vaccine) can also report these symptoms.
Children who receive the nasal aerosol vaccine may develop a runny nose, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and fever. These side effects are temporary and milder than those of the flu virus.
Why vaccines cause fever
Vaccines have become very beneficial to our health. Vaccinations now cause fewer side effects compared to the past years because there is already a lot of research and development to reduce the side effects of immunization.
Any vaccine can cause a reaction, and reactions can also vary depending on the type of vaccine. Some of these reactions are fainting, allergies, chest pain, nausea, and fever.
The child usually has a fever at night after the vaccination. Temperature is one of the common side effects of immunization. Among the vaccines that can cause fever are DTP, measles and mumps, influenza. The response to these immunizations is only short term, so there is no need to worry.
What is the reason for the rise in temperature? According to immunologists, a child's temperature rises after vaccination because the baby actually receives a weakened version of a certain virus or bacteria in his body through the vaccine. Then his immune system will attack the weakened version.
Fever is a normal reaction to vaccinations in our bodies because immune cells interact with acquired immune cells to produce antibodies. The child's body becomes feverish because it helps slow the spread of pathogens from where they originate.
Caring for the child on the day after vaccination
Monitor your child's body temperature and condition. A slight rise in temperature is not uncommon for an infant after receiving vaccinations. Check the temperature every 4 hours.
What should I do if my child has a fever after vaccination?
- Low fever (37.4 - 38 ° C). Dress your child in lightweight clothing. Do not wrap your baby in a blanket. Keep the room cool, use a fan. Give your child plenty of fluids to drink.
- Fever (more than 38 - 38.9 ° C). Give the antipyretic medicine: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen as directed.
- High temperature (39 ° C or higher). Call or see a doctor and give antipyretics.
You may be tempted to use Paracetamol to prevent an infant's fever in advance. However, the vaccine will work best if you do not give your child an antipyretic before injection.
One small study found that giving paracetamol to children to prevent fever made the vaccine less effective. Children who were given Paracetamol (just in case) produced fewer antibodies in response to the vaccine.
Therefore, you should not prevent fever, the body responds in this way to the work of the vaccine.
If the temperature is over 38 degrees Celsius, give your baby an antipyretic. Rest and a mother's hug after the vaccination will reduce the baby's discomfort, let your baby rest more, and temporarily stop all developmental activities.
Output
Babies don't have perfect immune systems. Many viruses and bacteria are not recognized by the body. Therefore, if they enter the body, it cannot recognize the virus and attack easily. Immunization is the process of providing immunity to a child so that the body can recognize certain dangerous diseases.
Vaccination is very important for children. After all, diseases that can develop in infants before immunization are very dangerous.
Vaccines are a tool in modern medicine. They are safe, effective and essential, and have tremendous benefits. The overwhelming majority of negative manifestations after immunization are secondary and temporary, you should not be afraid of them. Serious side effects are rare.
Vaccines are safe. Much more harmless than the diseases they prevent. As with any medical procedure, vaccines have certain risks, but these risks are very small. The risks of disease consequences are much greater. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease.
Even when a child receives several vaccines at the same time, most of the side effects will be mild and last only a day or two.
Research shows that giving vaccine combinations is safe and effective without increasing side effects.
Some parents fear that the vaccine will trigger health problems such as autism or sudden infant death syndrome.
Scientific evidence suggests vaccines do not cause autism, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome, or other illnesses.
We shouldn't be afraid of vaccines. We need to protect ourselves and our children, and one way to do this is through immunization.
