Home » Vaccine Side Effects » Is This a Horrible Vaccine Reaction?

Is This a Horrible Vaccine Reaction?

Why do some parents stop vaccinating and protecting their kids?

Many folks would describe what is going on in this video by Paul Thomas as horrible, everything except the common vaccine reaction.
Many folks would describe what is going on in this video by Paul Thomas as horrible, everything except the common vaccine reaction.

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.”

This large, local reaction is not an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
This large, local reaction is not an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

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?

For children between the ages of 3 to 10 years old, IM shots are now typically given in the deltoid muscle of the child’s upper arm. The anterolateral thigh muscle remains an option, although that is not where Dr. Paul is pointing...
For children between the ages of 3 to 10 years old, IM shots are typically given in the deltoid muscle of the child’s upper arm. The anterolateral thigh muscle remains an option, although that is not where Dr. Paul is pointing…

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

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: