A contraindication to a vaccine is defined as a condition of the patient that greatly increases the risk of severe adverse effects if the recipient is given a vaccine [1]. According to the CDC, there are three permanent contraindications to vaccination:

1. Severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component or following a prior dose of the vaccine. In a severe allergic reaction, the recipient of the vaccine develops hives all over their body, difficulty breathing, swelling of her mouth and throat, low blood pressure, or shock. In cases of severe allergic reaction, ff the recipient is having a reaction to the vaccine, the vaccine should not be administered again. If the patient is having a reaction to a component of the vaccine, any vaccine with that component should not be given
2. Encephalopathy which is a general term describe brain dysfunction such as encephalitis, meningitis, seizures, and head trauma. If encephalopathy does occur, it happens 7 days after receiving a dose of a pertussis containing vaccine. In cases such as this, vaccines containing pertussis vaccine should not be given again.
3. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), a contraindication to receiving rotavirus vaccine. Infants with SCID have an increased risk for development of vaccine acquired infection

In contrast to permanent contraindications, there are also temporary contraindications. In these instances, vaccines cannot given with the present condition, but can be given at a later time. Temporary contraindications include the following:

1. Pregnancy with regards to live attenuated vaccines because they could pose as a danger to the fetus; however, inactivated vaccines can be given to pregnant women. For more information about this, refer to a post about vaccinations during pregnancy.
2. Immunosuppression. Immunosuppression results from instances such as congenital immunodeficiency, cancer, HIV infection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, large doses of corticosteroids. This is a temporary contraindication because if the immune system is not working properly, then the replication can get out of control and in turn cause severe or fatal reactions.Although live attenuated vaccines cannot be administered to people belonging to this population, inactivated vaccines can be given because they do not replicate. However, because the immune system launches a poor response, these vaccines may not result in immunity.
3. Moderate or severe illness. When recipients have moderate or severe illness, vaccines (both live attenuated and inactivated) may cause an adverse reaction that could lead to complications.
4. Recent recipient of antibody containing products. Live attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who had just received antibody containing products. These circulating antibodies could interfere with the development of an active immunity; therefore, live attenuated vaccines should not be given until the antibodies have cleared.

Source:

1. http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ycts/mod1/courses/genrec/11005.asp?student_id=