Vaccines

In general, children with CHD should expect to receive all usual vaccines. However, vaccines should not be given less than four weeks before or after surgery because cardiopulmonary bypass reduces the vaccine’s e ectiveness. Some heart conditions, during the first year of life, require an additional monthly injection (called Synagis) during the winter and spring to help decrease the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Only certain types of CHD require this injection, and it is only during the first year of life. All children with CHD greater than six months old should receive the yearly influenza vaccine along with all members of the household.