Local Reactions and Management
Occasionally, local reactions to vaccines can occur. These are usually quite mild and easily treated. We have identified some ways that you can help to manage these. In rare cases, a more severe reaction may occur. If at any point you are at all concerned about your child’s reaction to a vaccination, or their general health, contact your Doctor or immunisation nurse immediately.
| Local Reactions | Management |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis B – Tender at the site of injection, mild fever, nausea, muscle or joint pain. | Paracetamol (if required), cool, wet cloth applied to injection site, increase fluids. |
| DTPa – Mild fever: redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. | Paracetamol (if required), cool, wet cloth applied to injection site, increase fluids. |
| Hib – Swelling, redness and pain at the site of injection, mild fever. | Paracetamol (if required), cool, wet cloth applied to injection site, increase fluids. |
| Polio (OPV) – Headache, muscle pains, mild diarrhoea. | Paracetamol (if required), increase fluids. |
| MMR – Reaction occurs 7-12 days after immunisation. Generally unwell, low grade fever, mild rash, swollen glands. | Paracetamol (if required), cool, wet cloth applied to injection site, increase fluids. |
| Meningococcal C – Pain, redness and swelling at injection site, fever, irritability, lack of appetite and headaches. | Paracetamol (if required), cool, wet cloth applied to injection site, increase fluids. |
| Varicella – Localised pain redness or swelling, fever, mild rash 10-21 days after vaccine. | Cool, wet cloth applied to injection site. Paracetamol (if required) if a delayed reaction occurs. Increase fluids. |
| IPV – Fever, crying, loss of appetite; pain, redness and swelling at injection site. | Paracetamol (if required), cool, wet cloth applied to injection site, increase fluids. |
| Pneumococcal – Localised pain redness or swelling, low grade fever, sleepy or irritable. | Paracetamol (if required), cool, wet cloth applied to injection site, increase fluids. |
For more information see Baby immunisation or Baby care