FA16 Immunization Module’s Updates

Adverse Reactions to Vaccines

Similar to what is normally thought of as a drug, vaccines have side-effects. These reactions can range from mild to severe, with an overwhelming majority of people only experiencing mild effects. Most vaccines have associated minor swelling, itching and redness at the site of injection. This inflammation is usually mild and will dissipate within a day or two. Some vaccines, such as influenza and Tdap, have mild flu- or cold-like symptoms (nausea, ache, fever). These reactions are part of the reason why some people refuse their yearly flu shot--it makes them feel worse. 

Moderate to severe reactions can involve systemic responses such as varying degrees of anaphylaxis. Death from a vaccine is incredibly rare. Since the safety of vaccines is so high, the level of reported adverse effects is small. The risk can be only one in a pool of several orders of magnitude of people.

http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/initiative/tools/vaccinfosheets/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm

  • Erin Hinckley
  • Kyle Osborn
  • Janell Mathus