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Some situations can be considered contraindications for the administration of vaccines, since they can greatly increase the risk of side effects, as well as causing complications more serious than the disease itself, against which one is trying to vaccinate.
The main cases in which vaccination is contraindicated in children by the Ministry of Health include:
- Having had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the same vaccine;
- Present a proven allergy to any of the components of the vaccine formula, such as egg protein;
- Present fever above 38.5ºC;
- Be undergoing any treatment that affects the immune system, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy;
- Be under treatment with high doses of corticosteroids for immunosuppression;
- Having some form of cancer.
It is important to remember that non-vaccination is an extremely important decision and should only be considered when there is a serious risk for the child. For this reason, temporary situations, such as treatment with corticosteroids, therapies that affect the immune system or fever above 38.5ºC, for example, are contraindications that only postpone the moment of vaccination, and should be vaccinated as soon as there is a recommendation from the pediatrician. .
Check out 6 good reasons to get a vaccination and keep your passbook up to date.
Special situations that must be evaluated by the doctor
The main special situations that should be evaluated by the pediatrician in order to authorize vaccination are:
- Children with HIV: vaccination can be done according to the state of HIV infection, and children under 18 months of age, who do not have changes in the immune system and who do not have symptoms indicative of weakening of the immune system can follow the vaccination schedule;
- Children with severe immunodeficiency: each case must be well evaluated by the doctor, but normally vaccines that do not contain live attenuated agents can be administered.
In addition, if the child has received a bone marrow transplant, it is very important that they are referred to the CRIE, or Reference Center for Special Immunobiologicals, between 6 to 12 months after the transplant, to do the revaccination as indicated.
Cases that do not prevent vaccination
Although they may appear to be contraindications for vaccination, the following cases should not prevent the administration of vaccines:
- Acute illness without fever, as long as there is no history of serious illness or infection of the respiratory tract;
- Allergies, flu or colds, with cough and nasal discharge;
- Antibiotic or antiviral use;
- Treatment with corticosteroids in low non-immunosuppressive doses;
- Mild or moderate diarrhea;
- Skin diseases, such as impetigo or scabies;
- Prematurity or low birth weight;
- History of simple adverse reaction after previous dose of the vaccine, such as fever, swelling of the bite site or pain;
- Previous diagnosis of diseases against which there is a vaccine, such as tuberculosis, whooping cough, tetanus or diphtheria;
- Neurological disease;
- Family history of seizure or sudden death;
- Hospital internment.
Thus, even in the presence of these situations, the child should be vaccinated, it is only important to notify the doctor or nurse of the vaccination post about diseases or symptoms that the child may be experiencing.
What to do if you lose your vaccination booklet
If the child's vaccination booklet is lost, go to the health clinic where the vaccinations were made and ask for the “mirror booklet”, which is the document where the child's history is recorded.
However, when it is not possible to have the mirror booklet, you should seek the doctor to explain the situation, as he will indicate which vaccines will be needed to be taken again or whether it will be necessary to start the whole vaccination cycle again.
See the full baby vaccination schedule and keep your child protected.
Is it safe to vaccinate during COVID-19?
Vaccination is important at all times in life and, therefore, should also not be interrupted during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Health services are prepared to carry out vaccination safely, both for the person who will receive the vaccination and for the professional. Non-vaccination can lead to new epidemics of vaccine-preventable diseases.