Vaccination advice

[SL1997]

My little boy has his first set of vaccinations Tuesday I'm nervous because I don't know what to expect! I have calpol at the ready but I'm not sure if there is anything else I can do.

Not really. Some places recommend giving them Calpol proactively, if you want to.

Just dress them in something simple so you're not taking ages faffing to get them undressed (DC's we're done in to thighs)

Were

3 doses of paracetamol are recommended after the MenB jab to help prevent fever. Easy access clothing and bottle/breastfeed to calm them

I'm a HV. Give him the calpol after he's had the jabs - before you've left the surgery then monitor his temp throughout the day and top him up if needed. He may be unsettled for a few days but just ride it out - it soon passes

With my DS I put trousers on him so I could whip them down easily and back up again. I fed him throughout the whole thing, helped a lot.

All mine wanted to do afterwards was to sleep on me. For the subsequent 12 hours! Make sure you've got water to hand and a well charged phone!

Good luck - it's a million times worse for the parents. In my experience the kids are usually more pissed off than anything!

I give childhood vaccinations. Give infant calpol at the appointment and then a further 2 dose 4-6 hours apart. This is due to the men b vaccine causing a fever. It will be 3 injections and one oral, the oral is a live vaccine against rota virus which is a gastro illness. This may cause a few explosive nappies, be extra careful with hand hygiene and avoid anyone really young or old or immunosuppressed near dirty nappies. He may be unsettled so I wouldn't plan much for a couple of days after. He may have red sore legs. Look in your red book and it will outline the vaccines due.

And take your red book with you, ideally.

@fluffyjumper the calpol says to give three doses 4-6 hours apart from each. Does that mean after those three he can't have anymore?

If you’re breastfeeding have your boobs at the ready

@HoneysuckIejasmine I carry his red book everywhere because I know otherwise I would forget!

OP, if after those 3 doses the temperature is still high then please call the doctors as it should’ve gone down, that’s essentially what it’s saying.

May the vaccinations be just like my DS’s who laughed as they were happening and then proceeded to be bright as a button all day

@PPopsicle thank you! I wasn't sure what it meant, probably a bit silly of me really. I think I'm just overly worried because I've heard horror stories and have never done this before!

Aww I hope it's a good experience like that.

Don’t be worried at all, honestly I can guarantee you will be more upset than baby.
Hundreds of babies have vaccinations every day so the nurses know what they’re doing and will help to reassure you.
Just be prepared with calpol, prepared for lots of cuddles and know that you’ll potentially have a grouchy/sleepy baby for a few day’s. I hope it all goes well

Are they just in the leg? Ours are looming...

Yes Stripey, no arms involved x

@PPopsicle so if I put him in something that can just be rolled up his leg so you think I will get away with not getting him undressed because sometimes that distresses him.

I know he will be ok, I'm just upset that I can't explain to him what's going to happen! I'll have calpol and cuddles at the ready and on the plus side if he's sleepy I can get some rest haha.

It goes in the thigh, so pop him in a vest and trousers, and just pull them down to his knees.

Honestly op I was so scared but my ds just cried for literally 10 seconds, was a bit under the weather for a short while - and that was it! Obviously your child might react differently but I hope it makes you feel a little better knowing that what I had is at least a possibility. I was convinced he was guaranteed to cry inconsolably afterwards for ages and wish someone had just told me beforehand it's all going to be ok!

Good luck

@firstimemamma I've heard some people say their babies screamed uncontrollably and some didn't fuss much at all. A lot of people tell him the one year ones are a lot worse though.

I’m taking my grandson for his 12 month vaccinations next week are they also in the thigh and is it just the one shot or one each side?

Looks like there are 4 jabs at 1 year:

1 year:

Hib/MenCvaccine given as a single jab containing vaccines against meningitis C (1st dose) and Hib (4th dose)

MMRvaccine (measles, mumps and rubella), given as a single jab

PCV (pneumococcal) – 2nd dose

MenB vaccine – 3rd dose

@Cait73 it’s 4 injections, 2 in each thigh at age 1.

Remember you’ll need written consent from your grandchild’s parent, we need consent from the person who has parental responsibility before we can give immunisations.

@Sidge I have Prohibited Steps he’s under a Protection Order, he’s registered with the GP here who wrote and told me to book the vaccinations, baby’s parents gave me his red book at scheduled contact over Christmas

@dementedpixie thank you I’m now dreading it but at least I know what we’re in for, I appreciate the information 🙏🏼