Table 3.
Systemic reactions and use of analgesics in infants after immunisations using different sized needles. Values are numbers (percentages) with reactions unless stated otherwise
| Variable | Wide, long needle | Narrow, short needle | Narrow, long needle | P value for comparison between all arms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, andHaemophilus influenzae type b with meningococcal C vaccine given concomitantly
|
|
|||
| Any pyrexia after each vaccination: | ||||
| First dose | 31 (13) | 27 (12) | 35 (16) | 0.51 |
| Second dose | 13 (6) | 8 (4) | 19 (9) | 0.11 |
| Third dose | 10 (5) | 14 (7) | 22 (10) | 0.07 |
| Any dose | 48 (20) | 40 (18) | 58 (26) | 0.10 |
| Any paracetamol after each vaccination: | ||||
| First dose | 147 (62) | 138 (61) | 131 (58) | 0.70 |
| Second dose | 131 (59) | 121 (57) | 116 (52) | 0.40 |
| Third dose | 128 (59) | 107 (51) | 107 (51) | 0.14 |
| Any dose | 190 (81) | 176 (78) | 173 (77) | 0.60 |
| Any vaccine | ||||
| Systemic reactions: | ||||
| Sleepier than usual | 195 (83) | 187 (83) | 181 (80) | 0.66 |
| Vomited >3 times in 24 hrs | 47 (20) | 42 (19) | 39 (17) | 0.76 |
| Eating less than usual | 152 (65) | 131 (58) | 131 (58) | 0.27 |
| Persistent inconsolable crying (≥4 hours) | 4 (2) | 2 (1) | 5 (2) | 0.56* |
*
P value computed from Fisher's exact test, otherwise from χ2 test.