Vaccination tops the list of things parents should do for the optimal health of their children. But like all medications, child vaccinations can sometimes come with side effects,indicating that the vaccine is working.
Most of the time, children feel fine after the shots. But sometimes, the mild and temporary side effects of vaccines may occur in children that may disturb them.
Let’s talk about what parents should do after vaccinating their children and where you can go for your child’s vaccination in Purchase, NY.
Care for Children After Vaccination
After getting shots, your child may need extra love and care. Mild and harmless side effects of vaccines are common and can subside within 24 hours.
Below are some common side effects your child may develop after vaccination and what you can do as a parent for these side effects.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms your child may experience after vaccination are mild fever, swelling of the lymph nose, headaches, muscle, and joint pain, loss of appetite, upset stomach or vomiting, and tiredness.
If you notice such symptoms in your child, use medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever, remove excess clothing, let your child rest, and offer them plenty of liquid.
If your child is below the age of 6 months, talk to their pediatrician before giving them any medications.
Soreness And Swelling at The Site of Shots
Swelling, redness, itching, and soreness at the spot of the shot are the most common side effects of vaccination. To cure these symptoms, you should cuddle and comfort your child and encourage them to move the limb in which the vaccines were injected.
It’s also a good idea to put a cold cloth on the shot area to relieve soreness. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes at least three times a day. For pain, consider giving your child pain medications after discussing them with their pediatrician.
When To Call a Pediatrician?
Typically, serious allergic reactions happen quickly after a vaccine – within a few minutes or hours – but are rare (1 in a million children develop severe reactions).
Therefore, after administering vaccines to your child, the pediatrician asks your child or you to wait in the clinic for at least 15 minutes to ensure no serious side effects.
If your child shows no serious side effects and they are allowed to go home, you, as a parent, must know the signs of serious allergic reactions so that you can inform your pediatrician and get help for your child.
Signs you should look out for after vaccinating your child and for which you should call a pediatrician are:
- Having trouble breathing, such as wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Hives
- Weakness
- Pale color
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Swelling in the throat or face
- Fever over 104° F
- Seizures
- Baby cries uncontrollably for 3 hours or longer
Vaccines For Children in Purchase, NY
If you are in search of a highly trained, experienced, and compassionate pediatrician for your child, look no further than our pediatricians at Westchester Park Pediatrics.
Our pediatricians provide top-notch pediatric care to children so that they can live healthily. Our providers follow AAP and CDC schedules of immunization to children as well as provide parents with vaccine documents they need for school, travel, daycare, sports participation, and more.
Arrange a consultation with us by calling us at (914) 761-1717 or request a well-child appointment online.
