Baby Vaccination Side Effects: A Simple Guide for Parents in India

Vaccines are a critical component of infant health care. Some babies are likely to have a mild reaction to the vaccine as their immune system is responding to the vaccine. These reactions are generally temporary, but parents’ natural concern might be raised when their baby gets a fever, becomes sore, swollen or changes their behavior.

The Indian setup for the monitoring of vaccine safety is called the Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance system. The system plays a role in the identification, investigation and response to adverse events arising from vaccination. Importantly, an event that occurs after vaccination does not necessarily stem from the vaccine; health professionals may explore whether there is a connection.

Understanding what children might do following vaccination may assist parents to keep track of their baby and be aware when medical advice is required.

What Reactions Can Occur After Vaccination?

Vaccines can have a variety of effects in babies. Some may not show any reaction, while others may have mild and transient reaction.

Some of the possible reactions are:

• Mild fever
• Pain or tenderness where the injection was given
• A redness at the injection site.
• Mild swelling
• Fussiness or fussiness/crying up-ups
• Temporary tiredness
• A change of feeding or sleeping for a brief period of time.

AEFI guidelines for India, 2024, state that minor events like fever, pain, and swelling may occur after vaccination and tend to resolve within a few days.

Reactions may be different and may occur at varying times depending on vaccine and baby. Parents should be told what to do by the health care professional who gave the vaccine.

Common Mild Reactions

Common Mild Reactions

One of the most frequent worries parents have following their baby’s immunizations is mild reactions.

Fever

Some babies may develop a mild fever after vaccination. Parents are responsible for keeping an eye on the baby’s temperature and overall condition.

When the baby is very sick, has a fever that doesn’t go down or has a fever that lasts longer than 3 days, or the parent is worried, it is appropriate to call a health care professional.

Pain or Tenderness

Injection site may be tender for a brief period. Baby may cry more if area is touched or moved.Baby may cry more if area touched or moved.

Redness or Swelling

There could be some redness and swelling near the injection area. These reactions typically get better over time.

Fussiness

Babies might be fussier or more unsettled following vaccination. Extra comfort, feeding and rest may be helpful.

Minor changes in eating or sleeping activities.Slight shifts in feeding or sleeping.

Feeding and/or sleeping patterns may change for a short time following an appointment. Parents need to watch the baby’s general condition.

Not all reactions are due to vaccination. If there are unusual, severe, or worsening symptoms, parents should seek professional advice rather than make the assumption that the vaccine caused the symptoms.

What to Expect After a Vaccination Appointment

The healthcare provider can give information on what to look for at home after vaccination.

The parents are expected to:

• Baby might cry right after receiving the shot.
• The injection site may become slightly sore.
• There may be a slight fever or fussiness.
• Baby may require extra support.
• Most minor reactions will get better without permanent effects.
• If your health care provider says to stay at the clinic for observation, do so.

The parents must also keep up to date the vaccination record with the name of the vaccine and the date. This information can assist health care professionals in determining the vaccines the baby has had.

How to Keep Your Baby Comfortable

Parents are able to focus on feeling comfortable without losing sight of the baby.

Some useful measures might be:

• Do offer breast milk or baby’s usual feeds as recommended.
• Provide the baby with lots of rest.
• If the baby is fussy, hold and comfort the baby.
• Dress the baby in an appropriate manner.
• Do not let the area where the shot was given get dirty.
• Follow the healthcare professional’s directions.
• Do not administer medicine without doctor’s advice for your baby.

Avoiding any cream, ointments, herbal remedies or other products being applied to the site of the injection unless advised by a health care provider.

If it is not clear whether a symptom is normal, it is better to contact the baby’s healthcare provider than make a diagnosis at home.

Monitoring Your Baby After Vaccination

Parents should pay attention to the baby’s overall condition after vaccination.

A simple monitoring checklist can include:

It can also be useful to document some of the changes in a symptom that occurred after it began. This information could be helpful if you have to talk to a health care provider.

Keep in mind that anything that happens after vaccination does not always prove that the vaccine is responsible for the event. In India, adverse events after immunisation are monitored and investigated in the AEFI system for determining the likelihood of the relationship between the vaccine and the AE.

When Should Parents Contact a Healthcare Professional?

If parents are concerned about their baby’s condition after the vaccination, they should get a health care professional’s advice.

When to seek medical advice:

• The baby is clearly very unwell.
• High fever, chronic fever or fever that is of concern.
• Baby is very hard to arouse or not responsive.
• The baby is having a serious respiratory problem.
• A large amount of swelling or a reaction that is getting worse quickly.
• The baby is vomiting repeatedly or it has other concerning symptoms.
• Parent doesn’t know if a reaction is normal or not.
• Symptoms getting worse rather than better.
• If your baby looks very unwell or has symptoms of a medical emergency, please seek immediate medical attention.

The AEFI guidelines in India recommend health workers to be notified of the vaccine triggered adverse reactions if the child becomes severely unwell after vaccination, and to bring the child to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Understanding Serious Reactions

The serious adverse events after vaccination are not the same as common, mild reactions. They need to be assessed medically as a prompt as possible.

A severe allergic reaction may cause:

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Significant weakness
• Pale appearance
• Dizziness or collapse

Severe allergic reaction symptoms other than anaphylaxis include:

serious reactions are rare and vaccine safety is constantly monitored. The AEFI surveillance programme in India is aimed at identifying, investigating and respond to adverse events including rare ones.

It should also be noted that an adverse event after vaccination does not always mean the event was caused by the vaccine. A causality assessment by healthcare professionals and public health authorities may identify a likely relationship.

Many parents are worried about potential mild side effects to routine vaccination, and they don’t want to delay routine vaccination for that reason. Rather, talk to the baby’s healthcare provider about concerns and follow the current vaccination recommendations.

Where to Find Reliable Medical Information

Parents should get information on baby vaccine side effects from trusted medical and government sources.

In India, useful sources include:

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
• National Health Mission
• Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
• A qualified paediatrician or other health care professional
• Health centres of government or authorized providers for vaccinations.
• Do not use unverifiable posts or forwarded messages on social media to inform medical decisions. Recommendations and information on vaccines may be updated as new research is available.
• AEFI guidance given by the Government of India gives details about vaccine safety monitoring, reporting, investigation and response.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India — AEFI Surveillance and Response Operational Guidelines 2024. It explains vaccine safety monitoring and adverse events following immunization

Final Takeaway

Doses of vaccines that are given to infants may have a few unexpected side effects that are short-lived, including a fever, fussiness, soreness, redness, and swelling. Parents should watch their baby, comfort them and take the advice of the healthcare professional.

Severe reactions should be treated promptly. Don’t diagnose your baby’s reaction to the vaccine; contact your health care provider if you have any concerns.

To get accurate and current information, refer to official Indian health sources and your baby’s health care provider.