Why do some parents stop vaccinating and protecting their kids?
Sometimes it is because their pediatrician tells them to…
Is This a Horrible Vaccine Reaction?
Let’s take a look at Paul Thomas‘ “horrible vaccine reaction.”
Many of you are probably wondering, why did this young lady get a Tdap vaccine, which isn’t given to children under age 7 years?
And why did she get it in her leg?
Especially that part of her leg???
Hopefully you are also wondering why Paul Thomas is making such a big deal about what looks like a relatively common vaccine reaction.
“Sometimes the 4th or 5th dose of DTaP vaccine is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg in which the shot was given, lasting 1–7 days (up to about 1 child in 30).”
DTaP Vaccine Vaccine Information Statement
After all, although it is scary looking, this is a vaccine reaction that will go away without treatment, except maybe symptomatic care (cool compresses and pain medicines), and has no lasting effects.
“And I would not do this same vaccine again, because once you have had a large local reaction like this, you would be at greater risk for a really bad reaction.”
Paul Thomas on the Horrible Vaccine Reaction!
It is not an allergic reaction.
It is not caused by aluminum.
And it is a vaccine reaction that is typically not considered a contraindication to getting another dose, especially as skipping future doses of DTaP or Tdap would leave the child at risk to get tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
What to Know About Large Local Vaccine Reactions
Large local reactions to vaccines, although sometimes scary looking, are not dangerous, do go away, and are not a reason your pediatrician should typically tell you to skip or delay your child’s vaccines.
More on Vaccine Reactions
- An Unvaccinated Child in Oregon Recently Had Tetanus
- Boy spent 47 agonizing days in ICU with tetanus. Parents still refuse vaccines
- Vaccine Reactions – Is This Normal?
- Is Ocular Palsy a Vaccine Injury?
- How Long Do Side Effects of Immunizations Last?
- Is It a Vaccine Reaction?
- Dr. Paul Thomas: A rising star in the antivaccine movement
- Pediatrician Paul Thomas Has 15,000 Patients—and He Tells Them the Measles Vaccine Might Cause Autism
- When the Numbers Don’t Say What You Think They Say
- Vaccination site reaction or bacterial cellulitis?
- Study – Extensive Limb Swelling after Immunization: Reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
- Should Your Child See a Doctor for these Immunization Reactions?
- Treatment of local injection reactions
- Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Children and Teens
- WHO – Adverse events following immunization
- What to do about vaccine side effects
- CDC – Possible Side-effects from Vaccines
- ACIP – Preventing and Managing Adverse Reactions
- Side Effects from Vaccines
- AAP – Vaccines and Side Effects: The Facts
- Ask the Experts: DTaP
- Local reactions to fourth and fifth dose DaPT-containing vaccine: Distinguishing normal from cellulitis
- Local reactions to acellular pertussis and Td vaccines
- Ask the Experts: Vaccine Safety
- Injection site reactions
- Injection site reactions following booster doses of DTPa vaccines – An education article
- Side effects of childhood vaccines are extremely rare, new study finds
- Adverse skin reactions to vaccines
- The Difference Between Allergic and Injection Site Reactions