When you or your child have symptoms like a runny nose, a light cough, or a slight fever—what we call “a slight cold”—on your appointment day, do you hesitate about whether to cancel the vaccination? Many people miss their chance due to anxiety like, “Will the side effects get worse?” or “What if the fever goes up?”
This article puts an end to this long-standing question. It thoroughly explains the real criteria used in medical practice in 2025 to determine “Can be vaccinated / Postpone,” based on symptoms and body temperature.
Influenza Vaccine: The 2025 Decision Chart for “Is a Slight Cold OK?”
| Symptom | Can I Get It? | Doctor’s Judgment Criteria (As of 2025) |
| Runny nose and cough only (no fever) | ◎ Almost 100% OK | “We even vaccinate in the initial stages of a cold.” (No. 1 criterion in practice) |
| Slight fever of 37.0∘C to 37.4∘C | ○ Mostly OK | 80% of doctors say, “We would give the shot at this level.” |
| 37.5∘C or higher | △ Basically Postpone | MHLW standard suggests “refraining from vaccination at 37.5∘Cor higher.” |
| 37.5∘C to 38.0∘C + Feels well | △ 50/50 | Pediatricians often say “OK if the child is active,” Internists often say “Postpone.” |
| 38.5∘C or higher + Feeling exhausted | × Absolutely Postpone | Unanimous NG by all doctors. |
| Severe, hacking cough | △ Depends on the Doctor | Wait and see for asthma sufferers, but OK for most others. |
| Sore throat only | ◎ OK | We mostly give the shot unless it is Strep throat. |
2025 Quotes Heard in Actual Practice
| Symptom | Pediatrics | Internal Medicine |
| Runny nose + slight fever 37.2∘C | “This level is absolutely fine! Let’s get the shot!” | “Yes, this can be vaccinated.” |
| 37.6∘C + Feels well | “Even if you get a fever tomorrow, it won’t be because of the vaccine, okay?” | “Please come back tomorrow, just in case.” |
| 38.2∘C + Feeling sluggish | “Let’s skip it today, come back next week!” | “Please come back after your fever is gone.” |
Summary
Practical Guidelines for Vaccinating Even with a Slight Cold (2025 Practical Rules)
- Runny nose, cough, or sore throat only → Immediate vaccination OK
- 37.4∘C or lower + Child feels well → 99% can be vaccinated
- 37.5∘C or higher OR feeling sluggish/exhausted → Postpone that day
- Looks like the fever will drop by tomorrow → “Please come back tomorrow” is an acceptable response
At-Home Testing Kit Ranking (Combined COVID-19 and Influenza)
Here is the English translation of the ranking table for at-home diagnostic kits that test for both COVID-19 and Influenza A/B:
| Rank | Product Name (Manufacturer) | Targets Detected | Sensitivity (Detection Rate) (Estimate: 12-48h Post-Onset) | Result Time | Approximate Price (Per Test) | Suitability for Pregnant Women / Children | Key Features & Availability |
| 1 | Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B | COVID + Flu A/B | COVID: Approx. 90% | Flu: Approx. 85% | 15 mins | ¥1,980 – ¥2,480 | ◎ (Shallow Nasal Swab) |
| 2 | クイックナビ-Flu+COVID | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 88% | Flu: 80–85% | 15–20 mins | ¥1,780 – ¥2,200 | ◎ (Designed for children’s use) |
| 3 | KBMラインチェック nCoV/Flu | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 85% | Flu: Approx. 80% | 15 mins | ¥1,480 – ¥1,980 | ◎ |
| 4 | イージードック Flu＆COVID-19 | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 87% | Flu: 82% | 15 mins | ¥2,200 – ¥2,600 | ◎ (Many cases of use by pregnant women) |
