The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a recommended schedule for routine newborn vaccination. These vaccines are intended to prevent illness and disease. Infants will receive many vaccinations throughout the first year of life. Not all infants will experience the same side effects for the same vaccinations. In some cases, vaccine reactions may be more severe for the second or third dose of a given vaccine. There are several common vaccine reactions that parents of infants should be aware of.
Injection Site Complications
Many infants will experience injection site complications from vaccinations. According to the CDC, redness, swelling and soreness at the site of injection may occur. The use of a cool compress may help alleviate swelling. Caregivers should not put additional pressure on the area where the shot was given while lifting, changing or diapering an infant following vaccination. If an infant experiences severe swelling of the affected area, a physician should be consulted for further instruction.
Fever and Irritability
Many infants experience fever and irritability following vaccination. Some doctors may recommend the use of an over-the-counter pain reliever such as infant's acetaminophen to reduce fever and irritability. If an infant experiences a high fever that is not responding to medication and is extremely irritable, it may be a sign of a more serious reaction. Some infants can experience seizure due to a high fever following vaccination. A health care provider should be notified immediately if an infant is experiencing a severe reaction.
Poor Appetite and Vomiting
Some infants can experience poor appetite and vomiting following vaccination. These side effects should diminish within a couple of days following vaccination. Vomiting that does not subside may lead to dehydration, which can be extremely dangerous for an infant. A physician should be notified promptly if an infant is not keeping down feedings. Offering smaller feedings more frequently throughout the day may be beneficial for an infant with a poor appetite. Infants may not want as much volume as usual with each feeding, but adding in additional smaller feedings will satisfy their daily nutritional requirements.
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