What are invalid reasons for postponing vaccination?
• Mild illness: Low-grade fever, colds, upper respiratory-tract infections, and mild diarrhea are not reasons to put off vaccination. • Antibiotics: The current administration of antibiotics is not a reason to put off vaccination. • Household contacts of pregnant women or immunosuppressed patients: Living in a house with a pregnant woman or an immunosuppressed patient is not a reason to put off vaccination. Two exceptions are the live attenuated nasal influenza vaccine and smallpox vaccine. • Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is not a reason for either the mother or baby to put off vaccination. • Preterm birth: Preterm birth is not a reason to put off vaccination. • Generalized allergies: Children with allergies, but no history of reactions to vaccine components, should receive vaccines as recommended. • Family history: Having a family member who had an adverse reaction to a vaccine is not a reason to put off vaccination. Why do we keep giving vaccines if the number of cases of the vaccine-
