Treatment for Common Immunization Reactions

• Pain: for initial pain or tenderness at the injection site with any vaccine
  • Apply a cold pack or ice in a wet washcloth to the area for 20 minutes once
  • Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen by mouth. (See Dosage table)
• Fever: For fevers above 102° F (39° C), give acetaminophen (okay to use ibuprofen if over 6 months old).
• General Reaction:
  • All vaccines can cause mild fussiness, irritability and restless sleep. While this is usually due to a sore injection site, sometimes the cause is less clear.
  • Some children sleep more than usual. A decreased appetite and activity level are also common.
  • These symptoms do not need any treatment and will usually resolve in 24-48 hours.
• Call Your Doctor If:
  • Fever lasts over 3 days
  • Pain lasts over 3 days
  • Injection site starts to look infected
  • Your child becomes worse