Post : Why Did My Child Get a Fever After Their MMR Vaccine?
URL : [link removed]
Posted : May 1, 2024 at 8:03 am
Author : Vincent Iannelli, MD
Tags : combination vaccines, febrile seizures, fever, MMR, ProQuad, side effects
Categories : Vaccine Side Effects

Did your child have a fever after getting their MMR vaccine?

Is that a normal reaction ( [link removed] ) ?

Why Did My Child Get a Fever After Their MMR Vaccine?

It is no secret that a fever is a common side effect ( [link removed] ) after getting a vaccine.

In most cases, that fever starts within 12 to 24 hours of getting a vaccine ( [link removed] ) and only lasts for a few days.

[link removed] Fever is a common side effect after the MMR vaccine.

With the MMR vaccine ( [link removed] ) (MMR-II or Priorix), the fever might be delayed by up to 7 to 12 days though!

Why?

A fever is a common nonspecific immune response.

> "Vaccines prepare the immune system to protect against viruses or bacteria that could make people sick. The way this happens is that they introduce components of the germs that are known to activate the immune response. However, vaccines will not cause a significant enough immune response that the person suffers untoward events, such as can occur during natural infections. With this said, in some cases the immune response is strong enough to cause detectable symptoms, like a mild fever."
>
> Fever and Vaccines

So getting a fever after a vaccine simply means that your immune system ( [link removed] ) is working!

And no, it doesn't mean your immune system isn't working if you don't get a fever.

And it certainly doesn't mean that your child has developed measles if they have developed fever after their MMR vaccine, even if they also develop a rash ( [link removed] ) .

A rash which might also be delayed.

What to Do if Your Child Develops a Fever After Their MMR Vaccine

If your child has developed more than a low grade fever that is bothering them after their MMR vaccine, you should likely give them an age-appropriate dose of a non-aspirin fever reducer. And of course, you should call your provider or have your child seen if the fever isn't going away in a few days, if your child isn't consolable, isn't eating or drinking at all, is hard to wake up, or is having trouble breathing, etc.

Could this fever trigger a febrile seizure ( [link removed] ) ?

Yes, it can.

Febrile seizures are not rare after the first dose of MMR vaccine. They are more common if your child received the combined MMR and chicken pox vaccine ( [link removed] ) in one injection.

Fortunately, these febrile seizures ( [link removed] ) are not considered to be serious.

And it is important to understand that neither a fever or a febrile seizure after a vaccine, including the MMR, is a vaccine injury. They do not cause long term issues for your child.

On the other hand, if your child skipped ( [link removed] ) the vaccine and developed measles ( [link removed] ) , in addition to developing a high fever and having an even higher risk of febrile seizures, they would be at risk for more serious complications ( [link removed] ) and even death.

More on Vaccine Reactions

* Everything You Need to Know About the Measles Vaccine ( [link removed] )

* Why Are You Still Worried About the MMR Vaccine? ( [link removed] )

* How Often Do Severe Events Occur After Vaccines? ( [link removed] )

* How Long Do Side Effects of Immunizations Last? ( [link removed] )

* Is This a Horrible Vaccine Reaction? ( [link removed] )

* Symptoms of Vaccine Reactions ( [link removed] )

* Fever and Vaccines ( [link removed] )

CDC - MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) VIS ( [link removed] )

CDC - Before, During, and After Shots ( [link removed] )

CDC - MMR & Varicella Vaccines or MMRV Vaccine: Discussing Options with Parents ( [link removed] )

* I Felt Sick After Getting a Vaccine. Why? ( [link removed] )

* Vaccine Side Effects and Adverse Events ( [link removed] )

* What to do if your child has fever after a vaccine ( [link removed] )

* What to expect after vaccinations ( [link removed] )

* What is normal after vaccination? ( [link removed] )

* Immunization after care for children ( [link removed] )

* Assessing the risks of vaccine side effects ( [link removed] )

* Posts Mislead About Measles, MMR Vaccine Amid Recent Outbreaks ( [link removed] )

* Rand Paul Repeats Baseless Vaccine Claims ( [link removed] )

* Measles: the plague that ruined Rome ( [link removed] )

* Malicious Measles Myths ( [link removed] )

* Measles complications – why the MMR vaccine is so important to children ( [link removed] )

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