Giving Tylenol to babies to prevent a fever after a vaccination can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, according to a new study published in the October 17, 2009, issue of the British medical journal The Lancet.
Researchers in the Czech Republic conducted a study on the use of acetaminophen (the medicine in Tylenol) to prevent fevers in babies who had received routine childhood vaccinations for pneumococcal disease, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and rotavirus. Some babies received acetaminophen every six to eight hours for 24 hours, while others received none. The babies who received the acetaminophen produced significantly fewer antibodies against the illnesses for which they had been vaccinated.
Vaccinations are designed to create an immune system response and a fever is a natural part of the process. Preventing the fever appears to reduce the processing of the vaccine, explained Dr. Robert T. Chen, a blood safety specialist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Unless your doctor specifically recommends it, do not administer fever-reducing medicines at the same time as vaccination to prevent your child from developing a fever,” said Dr. Chen. "It is still okay to use antipyretics [fever-reducing medications] to treat a fever, but just not recommended to prevent fever."
“High fevers can be serious, especially in infants. It is important to work with your doctor to provide the best care for your child," added Dr. Chen.
Comments
I never knew this! Hopefully it's something all doctors tell parents during vaccinations.
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Excellent information-- am sending the link to my SIL. :)
I didn't know that, the Dr. always told me to give Tylenol if my son was irritable following his shots. I rarely needed to use Tylenol but this info is nice to know. The baby in the pic kinda looks like my Dustin when he was a baby. Aw, memories...
Wow! Doctors should be aware of this and tell parents about it.
I remember my doctor telling me to give my son something for the fever and discomfort. Sheesh... This is great info for moms with babies!
Great article! I had no idea that this would be a bad idea, but when you stop and think about it, it makes sense.
I'm so glad I read this, didn't know about the info!
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