Children with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of infections and other diseases. Weakened immune system in infants  can occur as a result of medications they’re taking or certain chronic diseases.

Children who may have weakened immune system

Some children may have a weakened immune system. These include children :

• who have cancer
• born with immune system abnormalities
• who have organ transplant
• who have HIV or full blown AIDS
• with diseases that require them to take certain medications such as corticosteroids

If your child has a weakened immune system, the pediatrician may  decide that the benefits of giving certain vaccines  outweighs the risks the child’s immune system may pose. The doctor may also decide to wait until the child’s immune system is stronger before giving the vaccines.

NOTE

• The doctor may delay immunizing a child with a compromised immune system. He may also suggest not using certain immunizations containing live viruses  because of the  risk of the serious effects from the vaccine. These include vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), chickenpox (varicella) and the nasal spray influenza vaccine  . A child who has undergone chemotherapy will have to wait 3 months or more after treatment to get a live – virus vaccine
• Vaccines with inactive viruses and bacteria can be used in children with weakened immune system with no increased risk. The effectiveness of the vaccines may vary in these children and may be reduced in some cases. These vaccines include  diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis; hepatitis A; hepatitis B; polio; Haemophilus influenzae type B; pneumococcal; meningococcal; and the killed influenza vaccines (those given by shot).
• Children taking corticosteroids have a weakened immune system. The decision to give these children vaccines depends on the dose of steroids taken and  how it is given. Steroids given on the skin or inhaled do not interfere with the immune system. As a result live vaccines can be given to these infants. Children taking steroids orally in low or moderate doses can safely be given live-virus vaccines.