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We do not recommend routinely giving paracetamol before or after immunisation with childhood vaccines just in case a child gets a fever or has injection site pain. This is because a high fever or injection site pain are not very common responses and the use of paracetamol around the time of immunisation reduces the laboratory measured immune system response to vaccines.
However, there is no evidence that the reduced response leaves children with less protection from the diseases they were immunised against. If, after immunisation, your child has a fever or seems to have discomfort or they are miserable or distressed, we do recommend the use of paracetamol. You MUST follow the dosage instructions on the bottle; it is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.
The recommendation for Bexsero, a purchased vaccine against meningococcal group B disease, is different when given to children aged under 2 years. This is because fever is part of a robust immune system response to Bexsero, usually peaking around 6 hours after immunisation and settling over 24–48 hours.
• A fever over 38°C is more likely to occur in infants and children aged under 2 years after immunisation with Bexsero compared with other routinely used infant vaccines.
• When Bexsero is administered at the same visit as other Immunisation Schedule vaccines, a fever over 38°C or 39°C is almost twice as likely as when the Immunisation Schedule vaccines are given alone.
Similarly, redness, swelling and/or mild–moderate pain around the injection site are also common expected immune responses to Bexsero, peaking on the day of vaccination followed by a significant decrease, settling from around 24 hours after immunisation.
For these reasons, routine use of paracetamol with every dose of Bexsero in children aged under 2 years, whether given alone or with other vaccines, is recommended to reduce the risk of high fever and injection site pain. Some infants will still develop a fever and/or injection site pain even though they have received paracetamol doses.
Three doses of paracetamol are recommended with 6 hours between each dose, whether your child has a fever or not.
• Give the first dose 30 minutes before Bexsero.
• Give the second paracetamol dose 6 hours after the first dose, then 6 hours later give the third dose.
• If your child is miserable or distressed because of a fever or injection site pain 6 hours after the third paracetamol dose and is otherwise well:
• If your child is miserable or distressed because of fever or injection site pain 48 hours or more after the immunisation was given, we recommend that they are seen by their doctor.
Liquid paracetamol is available with a prescription from your doctor or as an ‘over the counter’ purchase at a pharmacy.
• Liquid paracetamol is available in two strengths; please ensure you have the correct infant strength of 120mg in 5mLs.
• Know the right dose to give, follow the advice of your doctor or the dosage instructions on the bottle.
• Measure the paracetamol dose using a measuring spoon or syringe.
• No more than four doses of paracetamol can be given in a 24-hour period.
• Too much paracetamol can be dangerous.
If you are concerned about your child after their immunisation, contact your family doctor or nurse. You can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 day or night.
If your child gets hot or has a fever
• Give lots of breastfeeds or fluids
• Undress them to a single layer, for example a singlet and pants
• Make sure the room is not too hot or too cold
• Give lots of cuddles
If your child has injection site discomfort or pain
• Do not rub the injection site
• Hold a cool damp cloth or an ice pack well wrapped in a dry cloth on the injection site
• Give lots of cuddles
