Paediatricians have warned parents to stop the routine or preventive use of paracetamol in babies before or immediately after vaccination, stressing that it should only be administered if the child develops a fever or appears uncomfortable afterwards.
They explained that giving paracetamol as a prevention could slightly reduce the body’s immune response to the vaccine, but noted that the vaccine remains effective even when the drug is used.
The paediatricians emphasised that the primary reason to stop routine, preventative paracetamol is to ensure the baby develops the most robust immune response possible to vaccines, stating that giving paracetamol ‘might mask a fever that could indicate a reaction or a coincidental illness unrelated to the vaccine, making it harder to assess the baby’s true condition’.
The child health experts’ advice comes on the heels of the recent immunisation drive across the country.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that, earlier in the month, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched Africa’s largest integrated immunisation campaign in Abuja to end vaccine-preventable childhood diseases.
The campaign, tagged the National Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction Integrated Campaign, aims to protect over 16 million children aged 0–14 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It was also reported that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, together with state governments and development partners, intensified efforts to vaccinate 106 million Nigerian children against Measles-Rubella, Polio, and Human Papillomavirus.
The vaccination campaign runs from October 2025 to February 2026 nationwide.
As the vaccination train moves from state to state, PUNCH Healthwise reports that many mothers give their babies paracetamol immediately after immunisation to relieve pain and fever.
But experts say the practice could mask the baby’s reaction to the vaccine and could damage the liver.
Commenting on the matter, a Paediatrician and professor of Surgery at Bayero University Kano, Kano State, Aminu Mohammad, stated that based on current medical evidence and guidelines from major health organisations, giving babies paracetamol as a prophylactic before immunisation ‘can slightly reduce the antibody response for some vaccines’.
He explained: ‘A large 2009 study found that when paracetamol was given preventatively, that is, right after vaccination and then at regular intervals for 24 hours, to prevent a fever, it led to a small, statistically significant reduction in the antibody levels produced for some of the vaccine components, specifically, the pneumococcal and some DTaP components.
‘The immune response was still protective, but it was not as robust as in the group that did not receive preventative paracetamol’.
On why it happens, Mohammad said: ‘A fever is a natural part of the body’s inflammatory immune response. This response is what helps the body create a strong and lasting ‘memory’ against the disease. By dampening this response before it even starts, you might be slightly interfering with the immune system’s full activation.
‘Important Nuance: This reduction is primarily linked to prophylactic use. There is no evidence that giving paracetamol only when a fever actually develops has a negative impact on vaccine effectiveness. The body has already initiated its immune response by that point’.
The don stated that the study concluded that the ‘vaccine is still considered effective, and your baby will still be protected. However, to ensure the strongest possible immune response, the practice of giving paracetamol ‘just in case’ is no longer recommended’.
The researcher in Congenital Paediatric Oncology and Infections advised parents to give the drug only if their baby develops a high temperature or appears uncomfortable.
Mohammad, who is also the President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, stated that a fever is a key sign of illness, adding, ‘If you give paracetamol preventatively, you might mask a fever that could indicate a reaction or a coincidental illness unrelated to the vaccine, making it harder to assess the baby’s true condition’.
He further noted that giving the medication more frequently increases the risk of accidental overdose, which can be very dangerous for a baby’s liver.
The paediatrician advised parents not to give the medicine before vaccination and to only treat ‘if your baby develops a high fever, generally above 38.5°C / 101.3°F, or is noticeably upset, crying inconsolably, or in pain, that is from soreness at the injection site, then it is appropriate to give a pain reliever’.
He advised parents to strictly follow the dosage instructions on the label and avoid administering the drug more frequently than recommended.
Mohammad further stated, ‘Try Non-Medication Comfort Measures First: Dress your baby in light clothing; Offer plenty of fluids, more frequent breastfeeds or formula; a lukewarm sponge bath can be soothing; avoid cold water or ice; cuddle and comfort your baby’.
Also speaking, a paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Prof. Aishatu Gobir, noted that febrile reactions, fever and irritability are among the common reactions of immunisation, which is why paracetamol is often administered.
She stressed that paracetamol has its side effects, stating that it should only be used when necessary.
The don further noted that administering paracetamol doesn’t render the vaccine ineffective.
Gobir said, ‘Adverse events following immunisations are many. Febrile reaction is one of those. Paracetamol is administered to babies after vaccination because of this. It doesn’t render the vaccine ineffective. Some physicians use ibuprofen for the same reason. Many babies need one or two doses only.
‘Paracetamol on its own has its own side effects. The drug should be used only when necessary’.
