Myths and truths about kids' vaccinations

Should your toddler have an MMR jab if they have severe eczema? There are many myths and misunderstandings about whether it’s safe to have a vaccine. Here are the facts about when your child should and shouldn't have jabs.

Vaccination facts

Facts about when your child is ill

It's a FACT that you should postpone your child's jab if your child is ill and has a fever (high temperature). This is to avoid the fever being linked with the vaccination, or the vaccination making your child's fever worse.

You may also want to postpone vaccination if your child has had a bad reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine. It doesn’t rule out having a further dose, but it’s a good idea to speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor. Your child shouldn't have a vaccine if they've had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (a severe allergic reaction) to a previous dose of the vaccine or a component of it.

It's a FACT that your child shouldn't have BCG (tuberculosis vaccination) or MMR, which are ‘live’ vaccines, if:

• your child is taking high-dose steroid tablets, or is taking lower doses either alongside other drugs or over a long time. If you’re not sure, check with your GP
• your child is being treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or has had these treatments within the last six months
• your child has had an organ transplant and is on immunosuppressant drugs
• your child has had a bone marrow transplant and finished all immunosuppressive therapy within the last 12 months
• your child's immune system is lowered. If you’re not sure, check with your GP

Vaccination myths

Myths about when your child is ill

It is a MYTH that you have to avoid or delay your child's vaccination if he or she:

• has a minor infection without a fever, such as a cough or cold
• has a family history of bad reactions to vaccinations
• has already had diseases such as whooping cough, measles, rubella (german measles) or mumps
• was born prematurely
• has a stable neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy
• has been in contact with an infectious disease
• has a condition such as asthma, hay fever, eczema or ‘snuffles’
• is taking antibiotics or locally acting steroids (such as creams or inhalers)
• is being breastfed
• lives with someone who's pregnant (including the child's mother)
• had jaundice after birth
• is underweight
• is above the recommended age for vaccination
• has a history of allergy
• has a history of febrile convulsions (convulsions related to fever) or epilepsy, or there's a family history of such conditions
• is a close contact or sibling of an immunosuppressed person
• has a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• has a personal or family history of autism and related disorders
• has recently had an operation, or is due to have one soon

Homeopathy myths

It's a dangerous MYTH that homeopathy can be used as an alternative to vaccinations to protect children against potentially serious infections. In fact, there's no evidence that homeopathy can protect children against disease.

Swimming myths

It's a MYTH that it is unsafe to take your baby swimming around the time of a vaccination. In fact, you can take your baby swimming at any time before and after their vaccinations.

Now, read about why it's a good idea to have your child vaccinated.