Vaccination is a key measure to protect the body from harmful diseases, but under certain circumstances, it may need to be delayed. What are the conditions that warrant postponing vaccination? Find out more in this review.
Conditions Permitting Vaccination
Vaccination is an effective method to prevent many infectious diseases. Not only it can protect the vaccinated individual but also help curb the spread of disease in the community, especially when a large portion of the population is vaccinated. Vaccines are suitable for all ages—from infants to adults and the elderly.
For vaccines to work best, they should be administered when the child is in good health. Many people believe vaccines should not be given during illness, but the CDC reports that vaccines can still be administered if the child has mild conditions such as:
- Mild fever
- Flu symptoms, like a runny nose or cough
- Ear infection
- Mild diarrhea
While vaccines can cause mild side effects like fever or discomfort at the injection site, they do not typically worsen the underlying illness. If you're concerned about possible vaccine reactions while unwell, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional beforehand.
Conditions Where Vaccination Should Be Postponed
For mild illnesses, vaccines are generally still safe. However, in more serious health conditions, delaying vaccination is advisable. Children should not receive vaccines in the following situations:
Severe Allergies
Children experiencing severe allergies should not be vaccinated, immediately. It’s advisable to wait until symptoms improve before consulting with a doctor to reschedule the vaccination.
High Fever
Children with a fever above 38º Celsius should delay vaccination. While vaccines are safe for children with mild fevers, a high fever can make it harder to distinguish whether it is a side effect of the vaccination or it is one of the symptoms of the illness.
If your child has a high fever, consider postponing the vaccine and ask your doctor or nurse when it is safe to reschedule.
Taking High-Dose Steroids
If your child is taking high-dose steroids, consult the vaccine provider to confirm whether it's safe to proceed with vaccination. Steroid medications can suppress the immune system’s ability to fight infections.
According to the CDC, waiting a few weeks after finishing high-dose steroid treatment is recommended before receiving live virus vaccines. Common live vaccines include MMR, varicella, and smallpox.
Undergoing Chemotherapy or Immunosuppressive Therapy
Children with compromised immune systems—such as those undergoing chemotherapy, autoimmune treatment, or immunosuppressive therapy, or those who have had a recent transplant—should avoid live virus vaccines. However, immunosuppressed children still need the flu vaccine, as it contains an inactivated virus.
Flu vaccines are crucial in preventing infection because children with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of severe complications from the flu. However, their immune response to the vaccine may not be as strong as that of healthy children.
Vaccination remains a safe and effective way to protect against infectious diseases, but in specific health conditions, delaying the vaccination may be necessary.
For children under two years old, delaying vaccination can increase the risk of complications from missing scheduled doses. It’s always best to consult a doctor if your child has a condition that might require postponing their vaccination.
If you have health-related concerns, you can consult a doctor or use the consultation feature on the Ai Care app, available for download on the App Store and Play Store.
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- dr Nadia Opmalina
CDC. Vaccines When Your Child Is Sick. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-children/before-during-after-shots/when-your-child-is-sick.html#
Donner, L. (2022). Should we postpone immunizations if my child is sick?. Available from: https://www.babycenter.com/health/doctor-visits-and-vaccines/should-immunizations-be-postponed-if-my-child-is-sick_11212
Donner, L. (2022). What are the risks of delaying vaccinations until my child is older?. Available from: https://www.babycenter.com/health/doctor-visits-and-vaccines/what-are-the-risks-of-delaying-vaccinations-until-my-baby-or_11210
UNICEF. 7 consequences and risks of not getting your child routinely vaccinated. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/health/stories/7-consequences-and-risks-not-getting-your-child-routinely-vaccinated#
Gardner, A. (2022). 8 Scenarios To Delay Vaccines for Kids. Available from: https://www.health.com/condition/vaccines/8-reasons-to-delay-vaccines-for-kids
NHS. Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/why-vaccination-is-important-and-the-safest-way-to-protect-yourself/
