Post immunisation

If you have any queries or concerns about vaccines please contact your GP or Local Health Office

What should I do if my child has any side effects after getting a vaccine?

Back to Top

Most side effects from vaccines are limited to tenderness and swelling or pain where the injection was given or a fever. Children usually recover from these minor side effects within a day or two. Most of these minor side effects happen in the first day or two after immunisation. However, after the MMR vaccine, some children may get a fever or a rash six to 12 days later. This is not contagious.

The Irish Medicines Board monitors all reported side effects of vaccines. This also happens in other countries so that new and rare side effects can be detected quickly and any necessary action taken.

• If your child has any side effects after immunisation, let your GP know so that he or she can report it to the Irish Medicines Board.
• Children do not usually need to take any medicine when they are given a vaccine. However, if your child gets a fever or is sore where the injection was given, you may give them paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• If your child has fits when they have a high temperature, give them paracetamol or ibuprofen before the immunisation and for 48 hours afterwards to reduce the chance of a fever. Remember, after having the MMR vaccine a fever may happen about 6 to 12 days later, so give paracetamol or ibuprofen then.
• The dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen recommended for your child is written on the bottle according to the child’s age.
• For children under 3 months, paracetamol or ibuprofen should usually be given only under a doctor’s supervision. However, after immunisation, if necessary you may give one dose of paracetamol 2.5mls (infant strength 120mg/5mls) to children aged 2 months. It is important that you give only one dose of paracetamol unless a doctor tells you otherwise.
• For all other children, leave at least four hours between doses of paracetamol, and give no more than four doses in 24 hours (unless a doctor says otherwise). If you are giving your child ibuprofen, please follow the instructions on the bottle.

Please ask your pharmacist for sugar-free mixture of paracetamol or ibuprofen suitable for your child’s age.

Remember, if your child is very unwell after getting a vaccine, they may be sick for some other reason. Talk to your GP about this.

Does my child need medicine after a vaccine?

Back to Top

Children do not usually need to take any medicine when they are given a vaccine. However, if your child gets a fever or is sore where the injection was given, you may give them paracetamol or ibuprofen. (See page 26 for advice about the dose.)

If your child has fits when they have a high temperature, give them paracetamol or ibuprofen before the immunisation and for 48 hours afterwards to reduce the chance of a fever. Remember, after having the MMR vaccine a fever may happen about 6 to 12 days later, so give paracetamol or ibuprofen then.

The dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen recommended for your child is written on the bottle according to the child’s age.

What is the recommended dose of paracetomol or ibuprofen?

Back to Top

For children under 3 months, paracetamol or ibuprofen should usually be given only under a doctor’s supervision. However, after immunisation, if necessary you may give one dose of paracetamol 2.5mls (infant strength 120mg/5mls) to children aged 2 months. It is important that you give only one dose of paracetamol unless a doctor tells you otherwise.

For all other children, leave at least four hours between doses of paracetamol, and give no more than four doses in 24 hours (unless a doctor says otherwise). If you are giving your child ibuprofen, please follow the instructions on the bottle.

Please ask your pharmacist for sugar-free mixture of paracetamol or ibuprofen suitable for your child’s age.

Using paracetamol or ibuprofen over a long period without advice from a doctor may be harmful.

What if my child has an allergic reaction to vaccines?

Back to Top

Serious allergic reactions to vaccines are extremely rare. About one person out of half a million may have a serious allergic reaction. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, hoarseness, wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and swelling of the throat. If the reaction is treated quickly, the child will recover fully. Doctors and nurses who give immunisations are trained to deal with allergic reactions.