Side Effects of Infant Immunizations

Infants need immunizations to protect them from potentially debilitating or fatal disease such as diphtheria or polio. Immunizations work by exposing infants to the killed or weakened version of a particular virus or bacteria so that the infant's body will manufacture protective antibodies against future exposures to the viruses or bacteria. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants receive immunizations to protect them from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, rota-virus, varicella and influenza. Most infants have either no reaction to immunizations or a mild reaction.

Injection Site Side Effects

• The injection site may appear red and swollen. The injection sites may be sore as well.

Fever

• Some children may experience a low-grade fever for one or two days following immunizations.

Rash

• The MMR vaccination sometimes causes rash to occur 7 to 10 days after the shot was received.

Crying

• The CTaP vaccination may cause infants to cry inconsolably for a few hours; however this occurs in only 1 out of every 1000 infants.

Febrile Seizure

• In rare cases, an immunization may cause fever to spike suddenly, resulting in a febrile seizure.

Severe Side Effects

• If any of the following severe side effects occurs, the infant's caregiver should call 9-1-1 immediately: wheezing, trouble breathing, dizziness, fainting, hoarseness, hives and rapid heartbeat.