The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a routine vaccination schedule for all infants born in the United States. These vaccinations help to protect your baby against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, chicken pox and hepatitis, as well as many other diseases and illnesses. Most children tolerate these vaccinations well; however, there are some common side effects that you should be aware of.
Fever
Some infants will experience a mild fever following a vaccination. This reaction is quite common. Fever may be relieved by using infant Tylenol, according to your doctor's instructions. If the fever worsens or does not subside, you should call your pediatrician.
Irritability
You may notice that your child becomes irritable after her vaccine. This is another common side effect. Many physicians will recommend using Tylenol as directed for irritability. This will usually subside within 24-48 hours following vaccination.
Injection Site Redness or Swelling
Some children will experience redness, swelling or pain at the area of injection. According to the CDC, this happens in about one out of every four children. It may worsen with second or third vaccinations of a series, such as with the DTaP vaccine, which is given in several doses. Tylenol may be used to alleviate discomfort. In the event that the swelling continues to spread throughout the limb, you should contact your doctor.
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