Baby fever after MMR vaccination
The mumps measles rubella vaccination is a 3-fold live vaccination, i.e. attenuated, live viruses are vaccinated. It is recommended at the age of 11-14 months. The vaccination is well tolerated. About 5% of the vaccinated persons show slight reactions after vaccination, such as swelling and redness at the injection site and a slight increase in temperature. In rare cases, babies may develop febrile convulsions, but these usually have no consequences.
Baby fever after a 6-fold vaccination
The 6-fold vaccination is a combination vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough (pertussis), poliomyelitis and Heamophilus influenzae b. All six active ingredients are inactivated vaccines, which is why there are generally fewer side effects compared to live vaccines. Within three days after vaccination, slight vaccination reactions such as redness and swelling at the injection site and increased temperatures may occur.
Can I be vaccinated despite fever?
If there is an acute illness or fever requiring treatment, vaccination is not allowed according to the guidelines of the STIKO (Permanent Vaccination Commission), as it is an absolute contraindication. In this case the vaccination should be made up for two weeks after complete recovery. If the child has a so-called banal infection, even with subfebrile temperatures (temperatures below 38.5°C), there are no contraindications against vaccination, so the child can be vaccinated. This should be clarified by a doctor before each planned vaccination. With few vaccinations, the so-called post-exposure prophylaxis after contact with a pathogen in unvaccinated children, vaccination is possible despite fever to prevent or attenuate the disease.
What should you do?
Temperature measurement in children under three years of age is performed with the help of a clinical thermometer which is inserted into the buttocks. In this way, the body temperature can be determined as accurately as possible. If a feverish reaction occurs after vaccination, various measures can be taken to combat the symptoms.
The ambient temperature should be slightly below the normal room temperature of 21°Celsius. Thin linen cloths or a light romper suit are sufficient to cover the body. A sufficient fluid intake is particularly important in the context of the increased body temperature.
Depending on the age of the baby/infant, this can be supplied in the form of breast milk, broth, tea or water. Calf compresses are a proven household remedy. Two cloths soaked in lukewarm water are loosely wrapped around the baby’s calves and remain there for about 10 minutes.
The body temperature drops because body heat is transferred to the cooler towels. The process can be used several times. A lukewarm bath of the child followed by air drying of the skin lowers the fever according to a similar principle.
The cold produced by evaporation causes the fever to subside. A medication for lowering fever in babies and small children is paracetamol. It can be administered in the form of suppositories or juice.
Fever can occur as a natural reaction of the body to a vaccination and should not be suppressed too early with medication. In an infant one speaks of fever when the body temperature rises to values above 38.3°Celsius. However, the temperature increase alone is not an indication for the administration of antipyretic suppositories.
Much more important than the figure given by the clinical thermometer is the behaviour of the infant. In many cases, simple household remedies can help – for more information see “What should you do? – in the treatment of the symptoms of the disease.However, if the baby is clearly unwell, lacking appetite and unable to sleep, the administration of paracetamol in the form of suppositories or juice may be considered.
The active substance paracetamol belongs to the group of non-opioid analgesics. In addition to its antipyretic effect, it also relieves pain. Paracetamol is available in low, weight-adapted doses for infants and children.
After pneumococcal vaccination, a fever reaction up to 39°Celsius is observed in about one third of cases. As a prophylaxis of the vaccination reaction, the first suppository can be administered immediately after vaccination. Each additional suppository is administered at six-hour intervals as a preventive measure.
No more than three suppositories should be given on the same day. If the increase in body temperature due to vaccinations is already known, the child can receive a suppository immediately before the next vaccination is due. This counteracts the occurrence of fever.
Paracetamol relieves pain and reduces fever. It is therefore a suitable remedy for fever after vaccinations, but it should only be given at high temperatures and when the fever has been present for a long time. Paracetamol is one of the active ingredients that can be administered to babies.
From a weight of 3kg it can be administered regardless of age. Paracetamol is available in different forms of administration – tablets, suppositories and juice are available in different dosages. Suppositories are particularly suitable for babies.
However, paracetamol should not be administered prophylactically before vaccinations, as it is suspected of weakening the immune response. The drug should only be given in the event of an actual fever reaction. A vaccination reaction usually disappears within a few days without external intervention.
Fever can also be lowered with old household remedies such as the calf compress. Homeopaths recommend Acontium for babies with fever and thirst after vaccination and Belladonna for babies with fever without thirst. It is recommended to wait and see if a reaction occurs first, as homeopathic remedies are not intended to have a preventive effect. If the symptoms occur, three globules can be given once and the effect should start quickly.
