There are two types of contraindications (reasons not to give a vaccine): permanent and temporary.

• The following are permanent contraindications to vaccination:
• Severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component (animal proteins [eggs], antibiotic, stabilizer, or preservative) or following a previous dose of the vaccine.
• Encephalopathy within seven days of a pertussis vaccination (not from another identifiable cause).
• The following are precautions/temporary contraindications to vaccination
:
• Pregnancy: Although the risk of vaccination during pregnancy is mostly theoretical, caution is advised. Therefore, women who are known to be pregnant should not receive any of the live vaccines. Inactivated vaccines are considered generally safe during pregnancy and should be used when indicated.
• Immunosuppression: People with active cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma (or people taking high doses of steroids) should not receive live vaccines but can receive inactivated vaccines.
• Human immunodeficiency virus: Vaccination depends on the severity of the illness. In asymptomatic (without symptoms) individuals, many vaccines are considered safe. In general, the inactivated vaccines are safe for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals infected with HIV.
• Moderate to severe illness: If someone is ill with more than a simple cold, earache, diarrhea, or other minor illness, vaccination should be postponed until the illness is over.

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