Q&A
Baby Immunisation Care: Treating Post-Vaccine Fever
Question:
My baby gets feverish after his vaccine shot. What can I do to help reduce his fever?
After a vaccine, a mild fever is actually a good sign – evidence that the shot is stimulating your child's immune system. If you think your child has a fever, take his temperature with a rectal digital thermometer – it gives the most accurate reading for children under 3 years old.
To relief his fever or pain, you may want to give your child a fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) every four hours, or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®) every six. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist which formulation is best for your child. Do not give aspirin to children. If there's swelling, opt for ibuprofen over acetaminophen. Recheck your child's temperature after one hour.
Keep your child cool by clothing him lightly and using a cool, damp cloth (but not too cold) to sponge him. Dehydration is still a big concern at this age, so do give him plenty to drink.
However, if his temperature reads 38.9°C (102°F) or higher, cries for more than three hours, or has a seizure, or if you are worried about how your child looks or feels, call your clinic or health care provider immediately.
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