Immunisation – side effects
Immunisation – side effects
COVID-19 vaccines:
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see
COVID-19 vaccination
.
Immunisation
keeps us safe from many infectious diseases, but, just like any medication, we may experience
side
effects
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after our vaccinations. These side effects can affect between one and 10 in every 100 people being immunised,
depending on the vaccine
. They are mostly mild and usually last one to 2 days.
Common side effects after immunisation
The most common side effects of immunisations are:
fever
(that is, a temperature over 38.5 °C)
redness, swelling and tenderness around the area where the needle went in
babies may be unsettled or sleepy
sometimes, a small, hard lump (nodule) at the injection site may persist for some weeks or months. This should not be of concern and requires no treatment.
Managing common side effects
A number of treatment options can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:
Drink extra fluids.
Do not overdress children or babies if they are hot.
Put a cold wet cloth on the injection site to ease discomfort.
Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, if fever or pain at the injection site is present, paracetamol can be taken. Check the label for the correct dose or speak with your pharmacist, (especially when giving paracetamol to children).
Concerns about immunisation side effects
If a reaction following immunisation is unexpected, persistent or severe, or if you are worried, see
your GP
(doctor).
It is also important to seek medical advice if you (or someone in your care) is unwell, as this may be due to an illness rather than because of the immunisation.
Adverse events that occur following immunisation may be reported to
Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination in the Community
(SAEFVIC)
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. SAEFVIC is the central reporting service in Victoria for any significant adverse events following immunisations. You can discuss with your
immunisation provider
how to report adverse events in other states or territories.
Uncommon or rare immunisation side effects
There is a very small chance of experiencing a serious reaction after immunisation. A serious reaction is an unwanted and unexpected symptom or sign associated with the immunisation. This is why you are advised to stay at the clinic or medical surgery for at least 15 minutes after receiving a vaccine in case further treatment is required.
Examples of uncommon or rare reactions are:
Anaphylaxis
– an immediate allergic reaction. This is dramatic but rare (fewer than one in a million people will have anaphylaxis after a vaccination), and it is completely reversible if treated quickly.
Febrile seizure
– this seizure usually lasts one or 2 minutes. It can be frightening and usually does not cause permanent harm or have lasting effects. It is caused when a child’s fever rises quickly.
Bowel blockage (intussusception)
– this occurs in the 7 days following the first and second dose of
rotavirus vaccine
. This is a rare side effect for about 1 in 17,000 babies.
If any other reactions are severe and persistent, or if you are worried, contact your GP (doctor) immediately or dial triple zero (000).
Safety testing and re-testing of immunisations
Millions of people – many of them babies and young children – are immunised every year, with no side effects.
Other people may experience mild common side effects.
You can be sure the immunisations used in Australia are safe. There are rigorous safety research and testing processes that all new vaccines must pass before they’re registered. Every vaccine is manufactured and tested according to strict safety guidelines.
And, we keep monitoring vaccines, even after they’re registered and being used. The
Therapeutic Goods Administration
(TGA)
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conducts detailed surveillance to make sure vaccines stay safe and effective.
If the TGA has any concerns about a vaccine, it revokes the vaccine’s registration and withdraws it from the market.
The bottom line
Think of it this way – a vaccine is a medicine that we use to stop ourselves and those in our care from getting sick. We are much less likely to get an illness if we are immunised.
Immunisations are medicine. Like any medicine, they can cause mild side effects. In rare cases, they can cause more serious side effects, but the chance of an immunisation seriously harming us is rare.
Deciding not to be immunised puts you, loved ones and the community at risk of unnecessarily catching an infectious disease that can be very serious and even deadly.
Do you have all the information you need?
There’s a lot of information available about immunisation, and it’s easy for us to feel overwhelmed or not know where to start.
If you have
questions
, a good first step is to talk to your
GP
(doctor). If you have young children,
maternal and child health nurses
, or
paediatricians
can also help. They can explain how vaccines work, discuss the benefits of immunisation and the risks of disease, and outline your options.
Before you agree to any vaccines, your
immunisation provider
has to give you all the
information you need to make an informed decision
. Your consent must be voluntary, without any pressure, coercion or manipulation. And you do not have to give your consent until your immunisation provider has explained the risks and benefits.
Remember, you can take your time before making a decision about immunisation. You don’t have to decide on the spot. You can always make another appointment, to ask more questions or to go ahead with the immunisation.
Where can I get more information about immunisation?
Find out more about immunisation by speaking with your health professional. The best place to start is with your GP. You can also ask your clinic nurse or specialist.
There is also lots of information online. If you would like to know more about immunisation, check out the
Australian Government’s information on
immunisation
External Link
.
When looking for immunisation information, stick to reliable information providers, such as:
Better Health Channel
Raising Children
Network
External Link
Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre
(MVEC)
External Link
NPS
Medicinewise
External Link
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
(NCIRS)
External Link
Australian Academy of Science – The science of
immunisation
External Link
.
Where to get help
In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
Your
GP (doctor)
Emergency department of your nearest hospital
Your local council immunisation service – visit
Know Your
Council
External Link
Maternal and Child Health Line
Tel.
13 22 29
(24 hours, 7 days)
Nurse-on-Call
Tel.
1300 60 60 24
– for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
Immunisation Unit, Department of
Health
External Link
, Victorian Government Email:
immunisation@health.vic.gov.au
National Immunisation Information
Line
External Link
Tel.
1800 671 811
Pharmacist
SAEFVIC
External Link
Tel.
1300 882 924
(select option 1)