What should I expect when I take my child to get vaccinated?

Your child can get vaccinated at a:

In all of these appointments, there are ways to help make getting your child vaccinated easier.

A Few Days Before an Appointment

Find out what vaccines your child needs. You can check the vaccine schedule or call your child's doctor's office. If your child is feeling sick before the visit, call to talk with their doctor. A mild sickness doesn't affect how well the body responds to a vaccine. A child with a low-grade fever, runny nose or cough, ear infection, or mild diarrhea can likely still get vaccinated. source: ¹ However, children who are very sick may have to come back for their vaccines another time.
If your child is a new patient, bring your child's vaccination records to the appointment. This can help your child's doctor know which vaccines your child has had and which ones they may need.
Learn more about vaccines. Read about vaccines your child is getting and the diseases they prevent before the vaccine visit.

Know which vaccines your child has had. If you aren't sure what vaccines your child has had, find their vaccination records.
Make a list of questions you may have about the vaccines. Or you can get your questions answered before you go. Call your child's doctor's office, or use the patient portal to send a message, if it has one.
Write down your child's health conditions to share with their doctor. Include any allergies, chronic diseases, and immune system disorders. source: ² If your child had a reaction to a vaccine before, write down which vaccine. Then you can tell their doctor during an appointment.
Talk to your child. Explain that the vaccines will help keep them healthy. It may pinch or sting a little, but not for very long. Learn what to do if your child is afraid of getting a shot.
Bring a comfort object. Pack your child's favorite toy or blanket to help comfort them during the appointment. Learn more about how to make your child comfortable during the appointment.

Ask the doctor any questions you have about the vaccines.
Your child's doctor will give you a Vaccine Information Statement for each vaccine your child gets. If you don't receive one, you can ask for it or find them online.
Tell your child's doctor if your child has any health conditions or if they have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine before.
If you are concerned about your child experiencing pain where the vaccine is given, ask your child's doctor if they have a numbing cream or spray.

Your child may have mild side effects after getting vaccinated. They also might have no side effects at all.source: ³
If your child has any mild side effects, they should go away within a few days.source: ^4,source: ⁵They might include mild pain or swelling where the vaccine was given, a fever, or feeling tired.
If the side effects bother your child, you can take these steps to help them feel better:source: ^6,source: ⁷
- Have them drink lots of fluids.
- Place a cool, wet wash cloth where they got the vaccine if their arm is sore.
- If needed, you can ask your child’s doctor about giving fever-reducing medicine.
Your child having any serious side effects is very unlikely. Out of 1 million vaccine doses given, only one or two people may have a severe allergic reaction.source: ^8,source: ⁹ If a severe allergic reaction is occurring, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. If you see anything mild that concerns you, contact your child's doctor.

Still have questions? Talk to your child's doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.