Reduce Reactions to Vaccines

These are tips taken from Chapter 15 of What Your Dr. May Not Tell You About Children’s Vaccines by Stephanie Cave MD, FAAFP, with Deborah Mitchell.

This is a very good resource to understand the history of vaccines, what is in them, how they are made, and what the relative risks are of the vaccines and the diseases they were created to eliminate. Buy it online under my blog store… see Books and Other Cool Stuff

Considering all the controversy and what I have read… it is well worth the effort to buy and read! Even BEFORE the baby is born!

• Examine your child before every vaccine to assure they are in good health- ESPECIALLY that the child is without a fever. Results of the examination should be noted IN the medical records. (It sure does not hurt to keep your own notes as well.)
• As the Dr. which vaccine is scheduled for the next visit and BE SURE to get the Vaccine Information Statement about that vaccine and the package insert from the actual brand of vaccine that your child will be getting. This allows you to learn about the vaccine before it is injected into your child.
• Tell the Dr. if the child has been ill recently or if ANYONE in the family is currently ill. Evidence indicates that individuals who have a viral or bacterial infection may not mount an adequate antibody response to the vaccine- PLUS they are at greater risk of adverse response to the vaccine.
• Write down complete family and personal medical history of the child to provide the Health-care provider who will administer the vaccine. This should include grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and sibling- note history of seizures, adverse reactions to vaccines, autoimmune disease or severe allergies. This should go into the child’s medical files.
• Be sure the injection is being given in the correct part of the body and in the correct manner. How and where impacts the amount of pain experienced, also the redness and swelling that may occur at the site. Vaccines should NEVER be given in the buttocks because there is a chance of injuring the nerve that crosses through this body area! If the vaccine is not given properly, it will not take and will need to be taken again- meaning double the risk.
• Ask to see the package insert that accompanied the vaccine to be sure it is the vaccine you agreed upon with your doctor. Ask for ac opy of the vaccination records for your own files. That record should include the name of the vaccines, the dates given the lot numbers. If the lot numbers are not included, ask for them!
• One way to reduce pain at the injection site is to apply firm pressure to the site immediately before and after the shot is given.
• Distraction from the actual shot works for some children- bring some toys or video games for older ones.
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and swelling and tenderness. A low fever is not usually a problem and doesn’t need medication, but you can give acetaminophen if the child is uncomfortable, and increase fluid intake. If the child’s temperature goes above 100.6 degrees for 24 hours, call your doctor.
• Acetaminophen may help prevent seizures in children who have a tendency for them when they have a fever.
• Fruit juice or glucose water before and after a DTaP shot can help maintain blood sugar levels.
• An ice bag or cold compress on injection site can reduce pain and swelling.
• The author gives vitamin A in the form of cod liver oil at the daily recommended intake for the child’s age. This is from 1,250 to 5,000 IU per day depending on age. For many brands, 1,250 IU equals ½ teaspoon; however, follow the directions as they are not all the same. If your child is taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement, be sure to account for the amount of vitamin A present in the supplement. The total vitamin A should not exceed the recommended daily amount.
• Vitamin C helps to protect against adverse reactions. On the day of the shots and the day after, Dr Cave recommends 150 mg liquid twice daily for infants. Follow package directions for measurement instructions. For toddlers, consider 300 mg twice daily in either liquid or children’s vitamin tablets.
• Vaccines that come in single dose vials are preferred over multi-dose vials because the potency of the vaccine is known, and single dose vials are mercury free. If your child’s vaccine is drawn form a multi-dose vial, make sure the nurse or doctor shakes the vial before she draws out the vaccine so the contents are more evenly distributed.
• A sensible healthy diet is recommended at all times to help keep the immune system operating at its best.

KNOW YOUR STATE VACCINATION LAWS

• Each state has different legal requirements concerning vaccines and admittance to school. These laws may change frequently. Check the Department of Public Health web site or call. You may also find the information at the library or your state representative may make it available to you. Also, membership in the National Vaccine Information Center may make your state laws available to you.
• DO not depend on information provided by a friend nurse, or school principal- Find your own sources or assure yourself of its completeness and validity.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR!

• The vaccine information statement for the actual vaccine to be administered is to be provided to the parents or legal caregivers of the child receiving certain vaccines and the information is optionally provided for others. ASK for them all as the vaccines are coming up on the schedule. AND read them! THE VIS will tell you
  • Ask what to look for… Symptoms of reactions…how long, what to look for. See also What Your Dr May Not tell You About Childhood Vaccines to see more detail than may be given on the VIS.
  • Ask- Can I get mercury free vaccines? If Dr says NO- get another opinion. Contact the Center for Disease Control for an up to date list of available vaccines that have no mercury. www.cdc.gov 1 800-232-2522
  • Ask -Which polio vaccine are you using? CDC recommends that the live oral vaccine NOT be used for children.
  • Will the newer DTaP vaccine be used? The older ones are sometimes still being used despite the recommendation for the newer one over the older one.

ASK YOURSELF!

• Is my child sick today?
• Does my child have allergies to foods, medications, or any vaccines?
• Has my child ever had a reaction to a vaccine?
• Has my child taken cortisone, prednisone, other steroids, or anticancer drugs or X-ray treatment in the last three months? Has anyone that lives with or cares for my child had these treatments in the last 3 months?
• Has my child had a seizure or brain problem?
• Is my child/teen pregnant or is there a chance she could become pregnant in the next 3 months?
• Does my child or anyone who cares for my child have AIDS, cancer, leukemia, or other immune dysfunction?
• Has my child had a blood or plasma transfusion in the past year?

See the book for more. It is worth the time to read and learn the risks and make a well informed choice.

Remember- there is a lot of bad press out there against people who chose not to vaccinate. So if you do choose not to vaccinate- be sure you can speak clearly as to why and learn alternative prevention techniques to keep your family health. Many are simple decisions.