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You will be required to give quite a few shots or vaccinations to your baby in his first year after birth to protect him from various fatal illnesses and infections. However, your baby’s woes may not come to an end with the shot and sometimes it may cause side-effects. Though most of the vaccination side-effects are normal and may not cause much problem to your child, sometimes more severe side-effects may arise, causing great discomfort to your baby. Here in the following article, we shall discuss everything about vaccination side-effects in babies.
What Causes Vaccination Side-Effects in Babies?
It is very normal for parents to worry about vaccination side-effects in babies. However, it is equally important for the parents to understand that there is no need to panic because just the way certain medicines may cause mild to severe side-effects in babies, the same applies for vaccinations as well. Mostly the side-effects are mild and subside within a few days without any major medical intervention.
Babies fall sick very often and sometimes they may come up with something at the same time when they get a shot. Under such situations, it is often misunderstood as vaccination side-effects. Similarly, some vaccination coincides with the time when most developmental delays are reported (such as MMR, which is administered at 12-15 months), so does it really mean that a certain vaccination may be causing developmental delays in babies.
Some babies may develop side-effects due to the administration of certain vaccination but these are very mild and can get easily cured. Though sometimes serious side-effects are reported too, these are a very rare occurrence.
Common Side-Effects of a Vaccination on Infants
Here are some common side-effects or negative effects of vaccines on babies:
1. Fever
Fever is one of the most common side-effects of certain vaccinations in babies. Your baby may have a fever for 24 hours to 48 hours. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given to reduce the fever.
2. Redness
You may observe redness at the site of injection. This usually subsides within 3 to 4 days. However, warm compressions may help ease the redness.
3. Formation Of Lump
Sometimes a lump may form under the skin, at the site of injection. This may occur due to the bleeding that occurs under the skin. This may take a few days to subside.
4. Sleep
Your baby may feel extra sleepy or groggy after taking a shot. This may happen for a day or two. However, there is no need to feel worried if your baby is waking up for feeds.
5. Irritability
The pain and discomfort from the vaccine may make your baby irritable and cranky. Do not worry as this would get over within a day or two.
These are some of the common side-effects that you may notice after your baby gets a shot. However, if any of the above-mentioned side-effects get serious or your baby seems to be very uncomfortable and restless, you should seek medical help.
What should you do if your Baby has Side-Effects?
As a parent, it is very difficult to see your baby in any kind of pain and discomfort. The first and foremost thing that you should do is calm your baby. Your baby may be in pain and thus applying warm compressions at the site of injection may help soothe the redness and swelling. You may even ask your doctor to administer any anti-inflammatory medicine to your baby to ease the pain and discomfort. Though there are many over-the-counter medicines available in the market it is best to seek your doctor’s advice on the same. Exercise caution while lifting your baby and refrain from touching the site of the vaccine. Sometimes moving the arm or leg where the vaccine had been administered helps in relieving the pain.
How Long does a Baby’s Vaccination Side-Effects Last?
Some babies may experience side-effects after getting a shot. These side-effects are usually easily treatable and may subside within a couple of days after your baby gets the shot. There are some vaccines that may show side-effects after 5 to 12days after administering the vaccine (such as MMR vaccine). In most cases the side-effects may subside within 2-3 days, however, if you notice any side-effects after this period, it is recommended that you seek medical help for the same.
When to Call a Doctor?
Seldom do vaccinations cause any fatal complications in babies. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms or after effects of vaccinations on babies, you should call a doctor:
- If your baby is crying non-stop for more than three hours (make sure your baby is not crying of colic).
- If your baby has a high fever, which is 104 degrees or more.
- If you notice that your baby is extremely lethargic, unresponsive or sleepy.
- If your baby has convulsions or seizures (these may result from a high fever).
- In case you notice any kind of behavioural change in your baby that does not appear to be normal to you.
- In case you notice seizures that may become severe and persistent.
- In case your baby develops an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling, breathing difficulties etc.
As soon as you notice any vaccination side-effects, you should report it to your baby’s doctor. Timely medical intervention can save your baby from any kind of serious medical condition. It is also very much possible that the side-effects are not because of the vaccine but some other underlying medical condition that your baby may be suffering from. Whatever be the case, it is recommended that you get in touch with your baby’s doctor whenever you experience anything unusual after your baby gets a shot.
