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After the Shots . . .
 What to do if your child has discomfort
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Vaccinations may
hurt a little . . .
but disease can hurt a lot!

Your child may need extra love and care after getting vaccinated. Some vaccinations that protect children from serious diseases also can cause discomfort for a while. Here are answers to questions many parents have after their children have been vaccinated. If this sheet doesn't answer your questions, call your clinic or health care provider.

Clinic or health care provider phone number: _________________

I think my child has a fever. What should I do?
 Check your child's temperature to find out if there is a fever. Do not use a mercury thermometer. If your child is younger than 3 years of age, taking a temperature with a rectal digital thermometer provides the best reading. Once your child is 4 or 5 years of age, you may prefer taking a temperature by mouth with an oral digital thermometer. Tympanic thermometers, which measure temperature inside the ear, are another option for older babies and children. If your child is older than 3 months of age, you can also take an underarm (axillary) temperature, although it is not as accurate.

Here are some things you can do to help reduce fever:

  • Give your child plenty to drink.
  • Clothe your child lightly. Do not cover or wrap your child tightly.
  • Give your child a fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen
    (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®). Do not give aspirin.
     Recheck your child's temperature after 1 hour.
  • Sponge your child in 1–2 inches of lukewarm water.
  • If your child's temperature is _____°F (_____°C) or higher or, if you have questions, call your clinic or health care provider.

My child has been fussy since getting vaccinated. What should I do?
 After vaccination, children may be fussy due to pain or fever. You may want to give your child a medication such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®) to reduce pain and fever. Do not give aspirin. If your child is fussy for more than 24 hours, call your clinic or health care provider.

My child's leg or arm is swollen, hot, and red. What should I do?

  • Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the sore area for comfort.
  • For pain, give a medication such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®). Do not give aspirin.
  • If the redness or tenderness increases after 24 hours, call your clinic or health care provider.

My child seems really sick. Should I call my health care provider?
 If you are worried at all about how your child looks or feels, call your clinic or health care provider!

Call your clinic right away if you answer "yes" to any of the following questions:

  • Does your child have a temperature about which your health care provider has told you to be concerned?
  • Is your child pale or limp?
  • Has your child been crying for more than 3 hours and just won't quit?
  • Does your child have a strange cry that isn't normal (a high-pitched cry)?
  • Is your child's body shaking, twitching, or jerking?
  • Does your child have marked decrease in activity or decrease in responsiveness?

Read below for information on the proper dosage of medication you can give your child to reduce pain or fever.
 

  
Medications and Dosages to Reduce Pain and Fever

Important notes:

  1. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist which formulation is best for your child.
  2. Give dose based on your child's weight. If you don't know the weight, give dose based on your child's age. Do not give more medication than recommended.
  3. If you have questions about dosing or any other concern, call your clinic or health care provider.
  4. Always use a proper measuring device. For example:
• When giving infant drops, use only the dosing device (dropper or syringe) enclosed in the package.
  • When giving children's suspension or liquid, use the dosage cup enclosed in the package. If you misplace the dosage cup, consult your health care provider or pharmacist for advice. (Kitchen spoons are not accurate measures.)
  1. WARNING: If you're also giving your child over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as cold preparations, be aware that these may contain pain or fever reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Be sure to read all OTC medication labels carefully to ensure your child is not receiving more acetaminophen or ibuprofen than recommended.

  
Acetaminophen Dosing Information (Tylenol® or another brand)
 Give every 4–6 hours, as needed, no more than 5 times in 24 hours (unless directed to do otherwise by your health care provider).

Weight of child

 Age of
child		 Infant drops
0.8 mL = 80 mg		 Children's liquid or
suspension
1 tsp (5 mL) = 160 mg		 Children's
tablets
1 tablet = 80 mg

Junior
strength
1 tablet = 160 mg
6–11 lbs (2.7–5 kg) 0–3 mos Advised dose*: _______       
12–17 lbs (5.5–7.7 kg) 4–11 mos Advised dose*: _______ Advised dose*: _______    
18–23 lbs (8.2–10.5 kg) 12–23 mos Advised dose*: _______ Advised dose*: _______    
24–35 lbs (10.9–15.9 kg) 2–3 yrs 1.6 mL 1 teaspoon (160 mg) 2 tablets  
36–47 lbs (16.4–21.4 kg) 4–5 yrs   1½ teaspoons (240 mg) 3 tablets  
48–59 lbs (21.8–26.8 kg) 6–8 yrs   2 teaspoons (320 mg) 4 tablets 2 tablets
60–71 lbs (27.3–32.3 kg) 9–10 yrs   2½ teaspoons (400 mg) 5 tablets 2½ tablets
72–95 lbs (32.7–43.2 kg) 11 yrs   3 teaspoons (480 mg) 6 tablets 3 tablets

*Ask your health care provider

Ibuprofen Dosing Information (Advil®, Motrin® or another brand)
 Give every 6–8 hours, as needed, no more than 4 times in 24 hours (unless directed to do otherwise by your health care provider).

Weight of child

 Age of
child		 Infant drops
1.25 mL = 50 mg		 Children's liquid or
suspension
1 tsp (5 mL) = 100 mg

Children's
tablets
1 tablet = 50 mg

Junior
strength
1 tablet = 100 mg
under 11 lbs (5 kg) under 6 mos Advised dose*: _______      
12–17 lbs (5.5–7.7 kg) 6–11 mos 1.25 mL      
18–23 lbs (8.2–10.5 kg) 12–23 mos 1.875 mL      
24–35 lbs (10.9–15.9 kg) 2–3 yrs   1 teaspoon (100 mg) 2 tablets  
36–47 lbs (16.4–21.4 kg) 4–5 yrs   1½ teaspoons (150 mg) 3 tablets  
48–59 lbs (21.8–26.8 kg) 6–8 yrs   2 teaspoons (200 mg) 4 tablets 2 tablets
60–71 lbs (27.3–32.3 kg) 9–10 yrs   2½ teaspoons (250 mg) 5 tablets 2½ tablets
72–95 lbs (32.7–43.2 kg) 11 yrs   3 teaspoons (300 mg) 6 tablets 3 tablets
*Ask your health care provider

Item #P4015 (9/04)
www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf

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Tel: (651) 647-9009Fax: (651) 647-9131