Fever After Vaccination in Children — Why It Happens and Why Not to Worry

Dr. Sandip Gupta

After vaccination there is always a small chance that your child may get fever, and you should not be worried about it. This video explains why. Why it happens: This is how vaccines work. Vaccines are basically dead or inactivated virus or bacteria, which trigger our immune cells to create immunity. Once the vaccine is given, this immune reaction can cause fever. Why not to worry: Vaccination fever is generally not a very high grade fever — it does not generally go above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and it does not last more than two days. The doctor notes he has generally seen it last only one day. It can be easily treated with paracetamol. What else to take care of: When your child has fever because of vaccination, give an adequate amount of liquids and breastfeeding if possible, so the child gets adequate nutrition — because during fever a child may not eat well. If you take care of all these things, vaccination fever should not be a major worry. Relevant for: parents whose child has developed fever after a vaccine; parents asking whether post-vaccination fever is normal and how high it goes; parents wanting to know how long vaccination fever lasts; parents asking whether paracetamol can be given after vaccination; and parents worried that their child is not eating well during fever after a vaccine. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician for the correct medicine and dose, and seek medical attention if the fever goes above the usual range, lasts more than two days, or if your child appears unwell, drowsy, or is not feeding.