Union Ministry of Health announces adequate volume of paracetamol for children post vaccination

Children often get fever after vaccination. At that time, the doctor advises to give paracetamol medicine. However, there was no clarity about the exact amount of this medicine to be given to children. Now the central health department itself has announced the dosage of this medicine to be given to children. Along with this, instructions have been given to government hospitals to keep adequate stock of these medicines. 

The health department has issued instructions to all district hospitals in this regard. Accordingly, children should be given an age-appropriate dose of liquid paracetamol instead of tablets when they develop a fever after vaccination. Adequate stocks of paracetamol should be kept in hospitals where children are regularly vaccinated. Immunization authorities must inform the parents about the age-wise dose of medicine to be given to the children.

According to the guidelines of the Union Health Ministry, District Surgeon Dr Nagnath Yempalle has given instructions to the hospitals in this regard. It said that children are still partially immunized. This is due to fear of minor things like fever, pain and swelling after vaccination. So health workers distribute paracetamol tablets to parents of children. It is advisable to break these tablets and dissolve them in water. This puts children at risk of overdosing or underdosing. So now liquid paracetamol medicine should be given to children.

There were no guidelines on how much paracetamol should be given in case of post-vaccination fever. Now the Union Health Ministry has released new guidelines. Paracetamol dose according to age and need will help in effective and safe management of fever. Efforts are being made by the Health Department to increase the vaccination rate. Therefore, the instructions of the central government should be followed by the medical officers and vaccination staff. Steps have also been taken to provide adequate stock of paracetamol in the hospital, Dr. Nagnath Yempalle informed the hosptals.

How much paracetamol to give?

              Age Group                      Quantity

• 6 weeks to 6 months        2.5 ml
• 6 weeks to 25 months      5 ml
• 2 to 4 years                      7.5 ml
• 4 to 6 years                      10 ml

Pay attention to this while giving medicine

• Give the baby if the fever is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Do not give to babies weighing less than 2 kg
• Give if fever occurs after vaccination
• Give a maximum 4 times in 24 hours
• Each dose should be administered at an interval of 4 hours