Many pediatricians, and even the Canadian Department of Health, advise against providing medications such as Tylenol when giving vaccinations to infants and toddlers. Injections are painful, and some vaccinations, such as the H1N1 vaccine for babies, can cause fever and other flu symptoms as a side effect. A study published in October, 2009, showed the effect of paracetamol (acetaminophen) on vaccines, and established that using Tylenol with vaccines may not be a wise choice, particularly in the case of a highly contagious and possibly life-threatening pandemic condition such as the H1N1 virus.
H1N1 Vaccines Appropriate for Children
There are several formulations of the H1N1 vaccine, and not all of them are approved for children or babies. The vaccine formulated by CSL Limited, for example, is only approved for adults age 18 and over.
Following is a brief description of the various formulations of the vaccine:
- MedImmune Intranasal Vaccine: This vaccine is made with a living virus, which has been weakened in a laboratory in a process called attenuation. The virus is not strong enough to cause an actual infection, but is able to initiate an immune response when inhaled. This vaccine is appropriate for children above the age of two years.
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited: This vaccine is approved for anyone above the age of four years. The CDC recommends two injections with this vaccine for children between the ages of four and nine, spaced one month apart.
- Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.: This vaccine is approved for everyone, including infants over the age of six months. Between six months and 35 months, the manufacturer recommends two injections of .25 mL of vaccine, approximately one month apart. Between 36 months and nine years, the manufacturer recommends two injections of .5 mL of vaccine, approximately one month apart. For anyone over the age of 10 years, a single injection of .5 mL is sufficient.
Study Shows that Immune Response is Diminished
A recent study published in The Lancet, titled "Effect of prophylactic paracetamol administration at time of vaccination on febrile reactions and antibody responses in children: two open-label, randomized controlled trials," showed that paracetamol, or acetaminophen, reduces the effectiveness of vaccines in children. Over 400 healthy babies were involved in the study, which showed that the children who had doses of paracetamol produced fewer antibodies when immunized. A less effective vaccination increases the chances of infection despite immunization.
Planning for Swine Flu Vaccination
Parents should discuss the use of Tylenol or other pain relievers with the child's pediatrician prior to vaccination. A cold compress is an alternative means of pain relief after an injection for parents who wish to avoid acetaminophen when giving their infant the H1N1 vaccine for babies.
References:
Title: Effect of prophylactic paracetamol administration at time of vaccination on febrile reactions and antibody responses in children: two open-label, randomised controlled trials.
Published: 17 October 2009, in The Lancet, Volume 374, Pages 1339 - 1350.
Authors: Roman Prymul, Claire-Anne Siegrist, Roman Chlibek, Helena Zemlickova, Marie Vackova, Jan Smetana, Patricia Lommel, Eva Kaliskova, Dorota Borys, Lode Schuerman
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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