Wednesday, October 01, 2008 Post Vaccination Reactions By Dr. Elizabeth Marie Bagares-Poyogao Pediacosset
I have been asked several times by parents who are concerned about post vaccination problems encountered by their children. The act of administering a vaccine is itself an emotional experience both by the child and the parents. How much more for post vaccination reactions.
Pain and discomfort at the site of injection, fever are common reactions experienced by most children after vaccination and rarely, severe allergic reaction. After a day or two, these reactions will subside.
What will you do when you encountered these problems?
First, monitor the child's temperature and when fever occurs, give paracetamol or ibuprofen to control the fever. Post vaccination fever usually resolves after 24 hours and it is usually of low to moderate grade type. With fever, do encourage your child to increase his oral fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
For a swollen site of injection, I usually recommend applying cold compress initially then warm compress on succeeding days until the swelling subsides. I also recommend taking mild pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the feeling of discomfort and pain.
If and when the area of the site of injection continues to swell and becomes inflamed after several days, do consult your doctor for the possibility of an infection. Appropriate medications will be given to prevent further complications.
A severe allergic reaction rarely occurs after vaccination. The child usually looked flushed and has difficulty of breathing. When this happens, emergency medications should be readily available. It is appropriate to observe the child for at least 30 minutes for possible adverse reactions to avoid complications.
Vaccination may be a painful process for your child but the long term benefits outweigh the pain.
Dr. Elizabeth Marie Bagares-Poyogao is a practicing Pediatrician affiliated in Oro Doctors General Hospital (formerly Maternity Hospital), St. Ignatius Medical Clinic and JR Borja General Hospital, Cagayan de Oro City.
