Immunization

Supporting Information

One of the main reasons why parents do not bring a child for immunization is that the child has a fever, a cough, a cold, diarrhoea or some other illness on the day the child is to be immunized. However, it is safe to immunize a child who has a minor illness.

Sometimes a health worker advises against immunizing a child who has a disability or is malnourished. This is wrong advice. It is safe to immunize children who are disabled or malnourished.

After an injection, the child may cry or develop a fever, a minor rash or a small sore. This is normal. Breastfeed frequently or give the child plenty of liquids and foods. If the child has a high fever, the child should be taken to a health centre.

Because measles can be extremely dangerous for malnourished children, they should be immunized against measles, especially if the malnutrition is severe.