Topic Overview

Immunizations are safe even if your child:

• Currently has or is recovering from a minor illness, such as a cold, ear infection, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Has a slight fever.
• Has had recent exposure to someone with a contagious disease.
• Was born early (prematurely).
• Had a mild reaction (such as redness at the site of the injection or a slight fever) from a previous injection.
• Is currently taking antibiotics.
• Has had allergies or seizures or has a family history of such problems.
• Has had allergic reactions to penicillin or other antibiotics (except for a history of severe reactions to neomycin or streptomycin).

Immunizations may also be given to pregnant women, except for the following:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)(What is a PDF document?)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)(What is a PDF document?)
• Nasal spray flu vaccine(What is a PDF document?)
• Smallpox(What is a PDF document?)

Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the safety of immunizations.