Vaccination is the best way to prevent several illnesses in babies. However, vaccination may have its share of side effects in some cases (1). Fever after vaccination in babies is one of the side effects, which often include pain and swelling at the injection site (2).
Fever after vaccination is often benign and manageable at home with simple interventions. Read this post to know the causes and management of fever after vaccination in infants.
Is It Normal For Babies To Have A Fever After Vaccination?
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Yes. Like many other medicines, vaccinations can also cause side effects. Mild to moderate fever, pain, and/ or swelling at the site of injection, fussiness, and irritability are some of the side effects of vaccines (3). Though any vaccine can cause fever, a few vaccines like DPT are more common to produce febrile reactions.
Since the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks, doctors across the world recommend immunization. Contact your baby’s pediatrician if you notice a high fever after vaccination in your baby.
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Why Do Babies Get A Fever After Vaccinations?
Dr. Laura Purdy, a US-based board-certified family medicine physician, says, “The immune system’s response can result in an elevation of temperature. Fever can appear within the first few hours after vaccination. Certain vaccines, especially live vaccines, can even cause fever for many days, especially in younger children.”
The body’s immune system brings an inflammatory reaction in response to the foreign substance -vaccine.
It manifests as redness, swelling, or pain at the site of injection or other systemic responses like fever, body ache, or headache (5).
Having mild fever in response to a vaccine is normal. It means that the vaccine is working, and your body is producing antibodies to fight the infection. A mild fever usually develops within 24 hours of vaccine administration and may last for two to three days (6).
Medical attention is not required for the minor reactions that occur after vaccination.
After giving the vaccination, the healthcare provider will tell you about the side-effects it could possibly have on the baby, with fever being one of them.
When To See The Doctor?
It is possible for your baby to experience irritability within the first 48 hours after receiving vaccinations. However, you need to see the doctor in the following scenarios (6).
- High fever over 104°F (40°C)
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- Fever lasts for more than three days and is accompanied by sweating or chills
- Fever returns after reducing for 24 hours
- Baby is experiencing congestion, cough, and drowsiness
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Continuous crying and irritability for three hours or more
- Showing unusually lethargic and inactive behavior or unresponsive to normal stimuli.
- If the redness around the injection site grows larger than three inches in diameter
- Measles vaccine rash that lasts for more than four days (it starts six to 12 days after vaccine administration)
- If the baby appears sick and does not eat (appetite loss) or sleep well
Quick TipMost effects of vaccines, such as irritability, fussiness, redness, muscle aches, fatigue, swelling, pain, and fever, begin to subside after three days of vaccine administration. Contact your pediatrician if they last longer.
Contact emergency care if your baby exhibits the following symptoms after vaccination (7).
- Difficulty in breathing
- Hives
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the throat
- Fast heartbeats
- Hoarseness of voice
- Wheezing
- Convulsions or seizures
Severe reactions to vaccines are quite rare, but keep an eye on your baby. If you suspect anything unusual, contact the healthcare provider immediately.
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How To Deal With The Fever After Vaccination?
If your baby develops a mild to moderate fever after vaccination, then the following steps might help you manage the distressed baby (8).
- Do not cover the baby in layers of clothes or blankets. Dress in comfortable, loose, and breathable clothes.
- If you are breastfeeding the baby, then they might feed more often for one or two days after vaccination.
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- If your baby is on a solid diet and refuses to eat, then you can consider a liquid diet. Give your baby formula, broth, and purees that are easy to eat and digest.
- Ask the doctor for a prescription of acetaminophen or ibuprofen medication. These medicines can help subdue fever and irritability. Never self medicate but only provide a dosage as recommended by your baby’s pediatrician.
- Consider applying cool compresses to your baby’s forehead to help lower fever and alleviate discomfort.
Quick TipYour child might be a little irritated and unwell after the vaccines. But the benefits of the vaccine significantly outweigh the risks. Therefore, vaccinate your baby as per the recommended baby vaccination schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are vaccines needed for babies, and how do they work?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that immunization is one of the best ways parents can protect their babies from 14 serious childhood diseases (9). Vaccines are made with dead or weakened microorganisms, called antigens (10). The body’s immune system identifies the antigens in the vaccine as foreign material and produces antibodies to fight the microorganisms (11). Later in life, if the baby is infected by the actual disease, the body recognizes the microorganisms and produces antibodies sooner to fight the infection away.
2. How long does fever last after vaccination?
Fever usually lasts for two to three days after the vaccination. It starts within 24 hours after the administration of the vaccine. This kind of mild fever is normal and harmless (6).
3. Do all babies get a fever after the vaccine?
It is not necessary that all babies develop a fever after vaccination. If your baby does not develop a fever, then it does not mean that the vaccine is not working. Each baby responds differently to the vaccine (12).
4. Does breast milk reduce fever in babies, after vaccination?
Research studies have shown that breastfed babies are at a lower risk of developing fevers due to vaccination. However, when fever in babies does occur, it’s important to remember that each child is different, and this may not hold true for all breastfed babies (13).
5. Does breastfeeding reduce a fever?
Breastfeeding can’t reduce fever. However, breast milk can give babies the nourishment and hydration needed during a fever.
6. Do babies sleep more after vaccines?
According to a study, compared with the 24 hours before immunization, most infants or babies slept more in the 24 hours after immunization. However, 37% of infants slept less after immunization (14). Therefore, sleepiness after immunization may vary from one baby to another.
7. Can I bathe the baby after vaccinations?
Babies can take a bath after vaccination. If the injection site feels swollen and warm to the touch, you can keep a wet cloth on it.
8. Can I give paracetamol to the baby on an empty stomach?
Adults can safely take paracetamol on an empty stomach (15). However, no directions exist for babies. Hence, it is best to speak to a pediatrician to ensure that your baby can take paracetamol on an empty stomach.
9. How long do babies feel unwell after vaccinations?
Fever after vaccination usually self-resolves within a day or two (6). On the other hand, local reactions, such as swelling, redness, or pain, may last for three to five days. The DTap vaccine may cause local reactions that last up to seven days. Painless vaccination for babies is an option you may consider to minimize discomfort during immunization.
10. How can I lower my child’s temperature naturally?
“There aren’t any reliable ways to lower the temperature naturally. Some people find that decreasing clothing or even cold baths can help. However, doing this may cause more discomfort to the child! Keeping your child hydrated may help, but for any young infant or toddler with fever, this may also be difficult,” Dr. Purdy opines.
11. Should I give my child medication before a vaccine visit to prevent fever after vaccination?
Dr. Purdy recommends, “You may give them the fever medication before vaccination, but it is unnecessary. Depending on the age of the child, Tylenol or Ibuprofen may be appropriate. I give my infants and toddlers premedication when they get vaccines. However, I don’t do this for older children because they can better withstand the discomfort during and shortly after the vaccination.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 20 million children worldwide still do not get vaccinated, increasing the risk of serious diseases, death, and disabilities (1). Vaccinations are important for babies. Mild side effects, such as fever, irritability, pain, and swelling, after vaccination in babies, are temporary and mostly subside within three days. Having a fever indicates that the vaccine is working in the body, so there is no need to worry, and simple precautions can manage it. However, if the baby experiences a high fever, vomiting, lethargy, or difficulty breathing, you should consult a doctor.
Infographic: Reactions With Certain Vaccines That Are Actually Normal
Certain vaccines produce particular reactions that may seem worrisome to parents. However, they are mostly harmless and resolve in some time. The infographic below helps you identify such reactions to vaccines. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Fever after vaccination is normal, and it occurs when the body identifies a vaccine as a foreign substance and triggers a systemic response.
- Mild fever lasting two to three days after vaccination doesn’t require medical attention.
- However, consulting a pediatrician is vital if the baby has a high-grade fever, vomiting/diarrhea, or a fever lasting more than three days.
- Dressing the baby in comfortable, breathable clothes, feeding them often, and using prescribed antipyretics are a few ways to manage fever after vaccination.
Illustration: Fever After Vaccination In Babies: Is It Normal & Tips To Manage
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
Vaccinations can be painful for babies and they may even develop a fever after a shot. In this video, learn what to expect after a vaccination shot and ways in which you can comfort your child.
References
1. Vaccines, World Health Organization
2. Ezzeldin Saleh et al., Parental approach to the prevention and management of fever and pain following childhood immunizations: a survey study; US National Library of Medicine
3. Common Questions About Vaccines; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4. COVID Vaccines for Kids 6 Months & Older: FAQs for Families; American Academy of Pediatrics
5. Caroline Herve et al, The how’s and what’s of vaccine reactogenicity; NPJ vaccines
6. Immunization Reactions; Seattle Children’s
7. Parent’s guide to childhood immunizations; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
8. After the Shots…; Immunize Organization
9. Vaccinate Your Baby for Best Protection; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
10. How do vaccines work?; British Columbia
11. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms; National Cancer Institute
12. What to expect after vaccinations; National Health Service (NHS) The United Kingdom
13. Breastfeeding and Risk for Fever After Immunization; American Academy of Pediatrics
14. Linda Franck, et al.; Infant Sleep After Immunization: Randomized Controlled Trial of Prophylactic Acetaminophen; NCBI
15. Paracetamol for adults; NHS
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Read full bio of Dr. Shashidhar A
Dr. Laura Purdy is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician with over a decade of experience. Previously a performing pianist, she later did her graduation in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude) from Ball State University and attended medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. After graduating with a family medicine residency at Georgia’s Martin Army Hospital, she joined as a US Army physician.Dr. Laura Purdy is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician with over a decade of experience. Previously a performing pianist, she later did her graduation in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude) from Ball State University and attended medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. After graduating with a family medicine residency at Georgia’s Martin Army Hospital, she joined as a US Army physician.
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