Are children under anesthesia secretly being vaccinated?

For years, a conspiracy theory has claimed that people get vaccines without knowing it. A real program gives vaccines to children who are already asleep under anesthesia for medical care. This has stirred up more claims about secret shots. Some vaccine opponents are angry that the program exists. Lawyer Aaron Siri has even made an ad for his law firm aimed at people who believe they got vaccines under anesthesia without their knowledge.

• CHOP offers flu vaccines to children already asleep for another procedure, which can help those afraid of needles.
• Parents are always asked if they want their child vaccinated.
• Vaccine fevers and serious anesthesia reactions usually follow different patterns.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has a program called “Close Your Eyes; We’ll Immunize.” It offers flu vaccines to children who are already getting anesthesia to help them sleep through another medical procedure. This can help children who are very afraid of needles. Parents must consent before their child gets a vaccine.

The program does not give children vaccines without their parents’ knowledge or permission. Getting anesthesia to sleep through a procedure does not mean a child will automatically get a vaccine. Vaccination is a separate choice that parents make.

One anesthesiologist raised a concern about the program. Vaccines can cause side effects, such as fever. The doctor worried that a vaccine fever could be confused with malignant hyperthermia, or MH. This is a rare but dangerous reaction to certain anesthesia medicines.

However, MH and vaccine fevers usually follow different patterns. MH can start during surgery or soon afterward. A fever from a flu vaccine usually starts about 12 to 24 hours later. Doctors also watch for other signs of MH, such as muscle stiffness, a fast heartbeat, and changes in breathing. Timing can help doctors find the cause, but they cannot rely on timing alone. A fever during or after surgery always needs careful attention.