Vaccines and Hemophilia

Kids with hemophilia bleed.

They bleed into their joints, into their skin (hematoma), and from their mouth and gums. They can bleed after surgery and even after getting their vaccinations.

Vaccines and Hemophilia

Having hemophilia is certainly not a contraindication to getting vaccinated though.

“Your child should get regular immunizations with necessary precautions to prevent bleeding from the injection sites.”

Hemophilia FAQs

There are some precautions that are recommended before giving vaccines to a child with hemophilia, including:

• using a 23-gauge or smaller caliber fine-gauge needle – consider a 25- or 27-gauge needle
• when possible, giving the vaccine SQ instead of IM – for example, although the IPV (polio), hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines are usually given IM, studies have shown that they can be given SQ to kids with hemophilia
• applying firm pressure, without rubbing, after the vaccine is given for at least two minutes and up to 5 to 10 minutes
• giving acetaminophen for pain relief, if necessary, instead of ibuprofen
• warning about the risk of a hematoma developing at the injection site

Most importantly, if the child with hemophilia is already getting routine prophylaxis to prevent bleeding, schedule their vaccines around the same time to decrease the risk of bleeding.

Your child’s hematologist will likely give you specific instructions to provide to your pediatrician regarding immunization precautions.

What to Know About Vaccines and Hemophilia

Kids with hemophilia should get all of their vaccines on schedule, but precautions should be taken to decrease the chance of bleeding after getting an immunization.

More About Vaccines and Hemophilia

• CDC – Hemophilia
• MASAC Recommendations on Administration of Vaccines to Individuals with Bleeding Disorders
• Hemophilia FAQs
• Administering Vaccines: Dose, Route, Site, and Needle Size
• How to Administer Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Vaccine Injections
• Administration of influenza vaccine subcutaneously to a 4 year old with hemophilia
• Treatment of Hemophilia
• Study – Hepatitis B vaccination is effective by subcutaneous route in children with bleeding disorders: a universal data collection database analysis.
• Study – Administration of Vaccines to Infants and Children with Hemophilia. A Survey of the Region III Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers.
• Report – Immunization of patients with bleeding disorders.
• Report – A practical approach to hemophilia care in children
• Study: No link between vaccines, inhibitor development