To take son for 3 year old vaccination with a cold?

[Disney101]

Not too sure what to do, my son is 3.5 years old
non verbal and is booked in for tomorrow, I’ve cancelled the last 3 appointments due to coughs and colds and he’s managed to catch another one just before his appointment. He has no temp but has got a cough, snotty nose and very clingy. I can’t seem to find an answer online, some people say it’s fine without temp but others day don’t go incase you can’t tell if symptoms are coming from the jab or a cold he already has.

my eldest daughter was always sick and she did have a jab with a cold before but she could also speak well so new she could tell me if she had any side affects were as my son can’t communicate if he’s in pain or feeling worse. I was just about to cancel but now I’m worried if I keep cancelling and he catches something he should have been vaccinated against I would never forgive myself. So just looking for a bit of advice should I take him or cancel and rearrange. My doctors only have appointments 2-3 weeks away also so not like I can change for next week.

I wouldn't. I'd let him get well first. A few weeks here or there isn't going to make any difference whatsoever.

That said, mine were 11 before they had their MMR. Both said it was incredibly painful, and it made them feel utter shit. Both were quite ill for a few days. No way would I risk that with a non verbal poorly 3 year old.

I give child vaccines and would suggest you take him. The only reason we postpone vaccination is if the child is acutely unwell or has a high fever. Being a bit snotty and grotty is no reason to cancel. Given that children this age are grotty little germ factories they’re always bunged up with something!

His vaccines may cause a temperature, rash and sore arms but you can give him Calpol and cuddles. Hope all goes ok!

Thank you for your replies. I’m going to see how he is in the morning and if he’s still got a cough I will cancel. Hopefully he can make it to the next appointment without getting sick again 🤞

I’ve took dd for hers with a very mild cold. One of the questions they ask before doing the vaccine is if the child is well. If he is no worse tomorrow, I would probably take him, discuss his symptoms and see what they say/if they’re happy to do the vaccines or not. Dd didn’t really get any side effects from hers.

So you read my reply and are going to cancel if he’s got a cough?

Seriously, you don’t need to.

I can't honestly remember if ours had colds for any of their injections. I really don't think a runny nose and a bit of a cough would have registered as "ill" - it was pretty much a permanent state. Just take him for his vaccinations: they're important!

Well... a few weeks could very easily make a difference. A life changing difference. To either him, or you, or those around him. No fever, nothing extreme to show for his snottiness, means get vaccinated.

OP, give extra lots of cuddles and snuggles for the next couple of days. I appreciate you have concerns as he's non verbal, but as his mother you'll be watching for unusual symptoms like a hawk anyway. And you can just assume his arms will hurt. Kindly, just get it done.

Why would it matter whether the symptoms were coming from the jabs or from the cold? Not sure why it's important to be able to tell the difference?

Young children have a snotty nose most of the time. I’d take him.

Unless he has a temperature, you take him

You can call the practice to check, and if you don't get a response on time I'd go to the appointment anyway and ask then.

I've had this a couple of times with my kids, and according to the nurse it will depend on the vaccine they're meant to have. Most of the time it will be perfectly fine, but there are some where it's not recommended and they'll reschedule.

Thank you everyone for your reply’s. He seems a lot better today so going to take him later.

In partnership with NHS

If your child just has a mild cold, a runny nose or a bit of a cough but no fever, it’s usually fine to go ahead with their 3-year-old vaccines. Getting mmunisations on time is important, and mild sniffles aren’t a reason to delay.

You might want to reschedule if your child has:

• A fever (around 38°C / 100.4°F or higher)
• Feeling really unwell — very tired, vomiting, or generally off-colour
• An infection that needs antibiotics
• A new rash or known allergy that hasn’t been checked

Otherwise, a cold isn’t a problem, and clinics see this all the time. Just let the nurse or GP know when you arrive - they’ll check, but in most cases, the jab will go ahead as planned.