What to Expect After Vaccination

What to expect
after vaccinations

This leaflet tells you about the common side effects
of vaccinations that might occur in babies and young
children up to five years of age.

After a vaccination, your baby may cry After vaccination with MenB
for a little while, but that usually settles Fever can be expected after any
soon with a cuddle or a feed. Most vaccination, but is very common when
babies don’t have any other reaction. the MenB vaccine is given with the
Reactions at the site of other routine vaccines at two and four
the injection months. The fever shows the baby’s
Some babies have some swelling, body is responding to the vaccine,
redness or a small hard lump where although not getting a fever doesn’t
the injection was given and it may be mean it hasn’t worked. The level
sore to touch. This usually only lasts of fever depends on the individual
two to three days and doesn’t need child and does not indicate how
any treatment. well the vaccine has worked. Giving
Fevers paracetamol will reduce the risk of
A fever is a temperature over 38°C. fever, irritability and general discomfort
Fevers are quite common in young (including pain at the site of the
children, but are usually mild. If your injection) after vaccination.
child’s face feels hot to the touch and After each of the two-month and
they look red or flushed, he or she four-month vaccinations you will need
may have a fever. You can check their to give your baby a total of three
temperature with a thermometer. doses of paracetamol (2.5ml of infant
paracetamol 120mg/5ml suspension)
If your baby has a fever: to prevent and treat any potential
l don’t put them in a bath fever. You should give the first dose of
l don’t sponge them down paracetamol as soon as possible after
l don’t put a fan on them your two-month vaccination visit. You
should then give the second dose four
to six hours later and the third dose
four to six hours after that. You will
need to follow the same steps after

the safest way to protect your child’s health

If you do not have any paracetamol liquid for infants at home you
should get some in time for your first vaccination visit. It is widely
available from pharmacies and supermarkets.

your four-month vaccinations. Your Call the doctor immediately if, at any
nurse will give you more information time, your child has a temperature of
about paracetamol at your vaccination 39-40°C or above, or has a fit.
appointment and you may be given If the surgery is closed and you can’t
a leaflet to take away with you with contact your doctor, trust your instincts
written instructions. and go to the nearest hospital with an
emergency department.
After vaccination with MMR If, after having read this leaflet, you
MMR is made up of three different are still not happy with your baby’s
vaccines (measles, mumps and rubella) reaction to any vaccination, speak
and these can each cause reactions at to your practice nurse or GP.
different times after the injection.
After six to ten days, the measles Checking on vaccine safety
vaccine starts to work and may Before vaccines are introduced, they
cause a fever, a measles-like rash, have to be licensed by the Medical
and loss of appetite. Individuals with and Healthcare products Regulatory
vaccine-associated symptoms are not Agency which assesses their safety
infectious to others. and efficacy.
Two to three weeks after the injection, Once they have been introduced into
the mumps vaccine may cause mumps- the programme, their safety continues
like symptoms in some children (fever to be constantly monitored so that any
and swollen glands). new side effects are quickly noticed
The rubella vaccine may cause a and investigated.
brief rash and possibly a slightly raised If you would like more information
temperature, most commonly around on the safety of vaccines visit
12 to 14 days after the injection, but www.mhra.gov.uk.
a rash may also rarely occur up to
six weeks later. More information
If you would like more information
Remember, never give on the side effects of vaccines and
medicines that contain aspirin vaccinations, pick up the booklet
to children under 16. A guide to immunisations up to
13 months of age from your surgery
If you are worried about your child, or go to www.nhs.uk/conditions/
trust your instincts. Speak to your vaccinations.
doctor or call the NHS on 111.

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