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Home › Expert Q&A › Health Concerns › Is fever a normal side effect of the MMR shot?

Expert Q&A

 

By David L. Fay, M.D.
Family Physician
Associate Director, Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program

My daughter got her MMR shot this week. About 24 hours after the shot, her temperature went up to 102 degrees. It has stayed there ever since (another 24 hours so far). Tylenol lowers her fever, for a few hours, to 100 degrees. Is this a normal side effect of the shot, or is it unrelated? Does it require medical attention? If it is unrelated to the shot and she is getting sick, is she at a higher risk of getting the mumps or measles because of a decreased immune system?

The answer to your first question is: yes. It can be related to the immunization or it can be unrelated. In most cases, the fever which comes from the MMR vaccination occurs 5-7 days after the injection, so most likely your daughter's fever is unrelated. Whether or not she requires medical attention depends upon her age and other symptoms. If she is older than three months and has no other significant symptoms, she does not require any medical attention.

She would not be at higher risk of getting mumps or measles because of an acute minor illness during immunization. In fact, it is a common misconception that children should not be vaccinated if they have a cold or other minor viral illness. There is no reason to withhold immunization during a minor acute illness."

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