Vaccine Contraindications

Contraindications for giving a vaccine can be divided into two categories; permanent and temporary.

Permanent contraindications are those that cannot be avoided by waiting for a better opportunity to vaccinate. These include:

-Severe allergic reactions

• A severe allergic reaction is one that results in hives all over the body, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure or shock
• People with only mild allergic reactions to vaccines can still receive the vaccination.
• Be sure to be aware of the contents of the vaccine being given and ask the person receiving the vaccine if they have any allergies

-Encephalopathy (general brain dysfunction)

• Encephalopathy of unknown cause within 7 days of a previous pertussis vaccination is a contraindication for any further pertussis vaccine doses.
• Encephalopathy after pertussis vaccination is not a contraindication for other vaccines.

-Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

• Children with SCID or anyone who is permanently immune-compromised should not be given live attenuated vaccines

Temporary contraindications are those that can be avoided by waiting for a better opportunity to vaccinate. These include:

-Pregnancy

• Live attenuated vaccines pose a possible but never observed risk to the fetus. Inactivated vaccines, however, can typically be given to pregnant women.

-Moderate to Severe Illness

-Temporary Immunosuppression

• A person who is temporarily Immune-suppressed (by Chemotherapy, Radiation, high doses of corticosteroids, etc.) is also contraindicated.

Sources:

CDC immunization training http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ycts/mod1/courses/genrec/ce.asp
Immunizations PPT