Understanding Post Immunisation Fever

Watching your baby’s first vaccination can be an emotional experience. While immunisations can be stressful, they’re important to keep your child healthy and protect them from serious diseases. It also helps to prevent illnesses spreading throughout the community.

WHY DOES MY CHILD NEED IMMUNISATIONS?

While in the womb, babies receive special proteins called antibodies from their mother. These antibodies provide a defence for the baby against many serious illnesses.

This passive immunity gradually disappears in the weeks and months after your baby is born. This leaves your child at risk of serious childhood diseases unless their developing immune systems get added help.

WHAT IF MY CHILD DEVELOPS A FEVER AFTER VACCINATION?

When your child is immunised he’s injected with a tiny amount of the bacteria or virus that causes the disease. Even though this isn’t enough to give him the disease itself, the body can sometimes start battling the bugs. This means your child’s temperature might go up.

Here are some things you can do to bring your child’s temperature down:

•Keep him in a room that is warm
•Check his temperature regularly to make sure he's not getting too cold
•You could give medication to reduce fever, such as Nurofen for Children.
•Offer drinks and food, even though you might be turned down

For more information please contact your local GP.