Potential Side Effects

Any vaccine can cause side effects. For the most part these are minor (for example, a sore arm or low-grade fever) and go away within a few days. Listed below are vaccines licensed in the United States and side effects that have been associated with each of them. This information is copied directly from CDC's Vaccine Information Statements, which in turn are derived from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for each vaccine.

Remember, vaccines are continually monitored for safety, and like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects. However, a decision not to immunize a child also involves risk and could put the child and others who come into contact with him or her at risk of contracting a potentially deadly disease.

 Anthrax vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from anthrax vaccine?

Like any medicine, a vaccine could cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction.

Anthrax is a very serious disease, and the risk of serious harm from the vaccine is extremely small.

Mild Problems

• Reactions on the arm where the shot was given:
  • Tenderness (about 1 person out of 2)
  • Redness (about 1 out of 7 men and 1 out of 3 women)
  • Itching (about 1 out of 50 men and 1 out of 20 women)
  • Lump (about 1 out of 60 men and 1 out of 16 women)
  • Bruise (about 1 out of 25 men and 1 out of 22 women)
• Muscle aches or temporary limitation of arm movement (about 1 out of 14 men and 1 out of 10 women)
• Headaches (about 1 out of 25 men and 1 out of 12 women)
• Fatigue (about 1 out of 15 men, about 1 out of 8 women)

Severe Problems

• Serious allergic reaction (very rare – less than once in 100,000 doses).

As with any vaccine, other severe problems have been reported. But these don’t appear to occur any more often among anthrax vaccine recipients than among unvaccinated people.

There is no evidence that anthrax vaccine causes long-term health problems.

Independent civilian committees have not found anthrax vaccination to be a factor in unexplained illnesses among Gulf War veterans.

This information was taken directly from the Anthrax VIS[PDF - 72KB]
(This information taken from Anthrax VIS dated 3/10/10. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 DTaP vaccine side-effects
(Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis)

What are the risks from DTaP vaccine?

Getting diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting DTaP vaccine.

However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of DTaP vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild Problems (Common)

• Fever (up to about 1 child in 4)
• Redness or swelling where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)
• Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)

These problems occur more often after the 4th and 5th doses of the DTaP series than after earlier doses.

Sometimes the 4th or 5th dose of DTaP vaccine is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg in which the shot was given, for 1 to 7 days (up to about 1 child in 30).

Other mild problems include:

• Fussiness (up to about 1 child in 3)
• Tiredness or poor appetite (up to about 1 child in 10)
• Vomiting (up to about 1 child in 50)

These problems generally occur 1 to 3 days after the shot.

Moderate Problems (Uncommon)

• Seizure (jerking or staring) (about 1 child out of 14,000)
• Non-stop crying, for 3 hours or more (up to about 1 child out of 1,000)
• High fever, 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (about 1 child out of 16,000)

Severe Problems (Very Rare)
Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 out of a million doses) Several other severe problems have been reported after DTaP vaccine. These include:

• Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness
• Permanent brain damage.

These are so rare it is hard to tell if they are caused by the vaccine.

Controlling fever is especially important for children who have had seizures, for any reason. It is also important if another family member has had seizures.

You can reduce fever and pain by giving your child an aspirin-free pain reliever when the shot is given, and for the next 24 hours, following the package instructions.

This information was taken directly from the DTaP VIS[PDF - 43KB]
(This information taken from DTaP VIS dated 5/17/07. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Hepatitis A vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from hepatitis A vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of hepatitis A vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Getting hepatitis A vaccine is much safer than getting the disease.

Mild Problems

• soreness where the shot was given (about 1 out of 2 adults, and up to 1 out of 6 children)
• headache (about 1 out of 6 adults and 1 out of 25 children)
• loss of appetite (about 1 out of 12 children)
• tiredness (about 1 out of 14 adults)

If these problems occur, they usually last 1 or 2 days.

Severe Problems

• serious allergic reaction, within a few minutes to a few hours of the shot (very rare)

This information was taken directly from the Hepatitis A VIS[PDF - 68KB]
(This information taken from Hepatitis A VIS dated 3/27/06. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Hepatitis B vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine?

Hepatitis B is a very safe vaccine. Most people do not have any problems with it.

Mild problems reported

• Soreness where the shot was given (up to about 1 person 4)
• Temperature of 99.9°F or higher (up to about 1
  person in 15).

Severe problems are extremely rare. Severe allergic reactions are believed to occur about once in 1.1 million doses.

A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious reaction. But the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. More than 100 million people have gotten hepatitis B vaccine in the United States.

This information was taken directly from the Hepatitis B VIS[PDF - 66KB]
(This information taken from Hepatitis B VIS dated 7/18/07. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Hib vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Hib vaccine causing serious harm or death is extremely small.

Most people who get Hib vaccine do not have any problems with it.

Mild Problems

• Redness, warmth, or swelling where the shot was given (up to 1 out of 4 children)
• Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (up to 1 out of 20 children)

If these problems happen, they usually start within a day of vaccination. They may last 2 to 3 days.

This information was taken directly from the Hib VIS[PDF - 65KB]
(This information taken from Hib VIS dated 12/16/98. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 HPV--Cervarix vaccine side-effects
(Human PapillomavirusCervarix vaccine)

What are the risks from HPV--Cervarix vaccine?

The HPV Cervarix® vaccine has been in use around the world for several years and has been very safe.

However, any medicine could possibly cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. The risk of any vaccine causing a serious injury, or death, is extremely small.

Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

Several mild to moderate problems are known to occur with this HPV vaccine. These do not last long and go away on their own.

• Reactions where the shot was given
  • Pain (about 9 people in 10)
  • Redness or swelling (about 1 person in 2)
• Other mild reactions
  • Fever of 99.5 or higher degrees Fahrenheit (about 1 person in 8)
  • Headache or fatigue (about 1 person in 2)
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain (about 1 person in 4)
  • Muscle or joint pain (up to 1 person in 2)
• Fainting
  Brief fainting spells and related symptoms (such as jerking movements) can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by falls. Tell your doctor if the patient feels dizzy or light-headed, or has vision changes or ringing in the ears.

Like all vaccines, HPV vaccines will continue to be monitored for unusual or severe problems.

This information was taken directly from the HPV-Cervarix VIS[PDF - 60KB]
(This information taken from HPV VIS dated 5/3/11. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 HPV--Gardasil vaccine side-effects
(Human Papillomavirus Gardasil vaccine)

What are the risks from HPV--Gardasil vaccine?

The HPV-Gardasil® vaccine has been used in the U.S. and around the world for several years and has been very safe.

However, any medicine could possibly cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. The risk of any vaccine causing a serious injury, or death, is extremely small.

Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

Several mild to moderate problems are known to occur with this HPV vaccine. These do not last long and go away on their own.

• Reactions in the arm where the shot was given
  • Pain (about 8 people in 10)
  • Redness or swelling (about 1 person in 4)
• Fever
  • Mild (100° F) (about 1 person in 10)
  • Moderate (102° F) (about 1 person in 65)
• Other problems
  • Headache (about 1 person in 3)
  • Fainting. Brief fainting spells and related symptoms (such as jerking movements) can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by falls. Tell your doctor if the
    patient feels dizzy or light-headed, or has vision changes or ringing in the ears.

Like all vaccines, HPV vaccines will continue to be monitored for unusual or severe problems.

This information was taken directly from the HPV-Gardasil VIS[PDF - 65KB]
(This information taken from HPV VIS dated 5/3/11. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Influenza (inactivated) vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from inactivated influenza vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Serious problems from inactivated influenza vaccine are very rare. The viruses in inactivated influenza vaccine have been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine.

Mild Problems

• soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• hoarseness; sore, red or itchy eyes; cough
• fever
• aches

If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.

Severe Problems

• Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot.
• In 1976, a certain type of inactivated influenza (swine flu) vaccine was associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Since then, flu vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS. However, if there is a risk of GBS from current flu vaccines, it would be no more than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated. This is much lower than the risk of severe influenza, which can be prevented by vaccination.

One brand of inactivated flu vaccine, called Afluria, should not be given to children 8 years of age or younger, except in special circumstances. A related vaccine was associated with fevers and fever-related seizures in young children in Australia. Ask your healthcare provider for more information.

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: Vaccine Safety Monitoring and Vaccine Safety Activites.

This information was taken directly from the Inactivated Influenza VIS[PDF - 38KB]
(This information taken from Inactivated Influenza VIS dated 8/10/10. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Influenza (live) vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from LAIV?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Live influenza vaccine viruses very rarely spread from person to person. Even if they do, they are not likely to cause illness.

LAIV is made from weakened virus and does not cause influenza. The vaccine can cause mild symptoms in people who get it (see below).

Mild Problems
Some children and adolescents 2-17 years of age have reported:

• runny nose, nasal congestion or cough
• headache and muscle aches
• fever
• wheezing
• abdominal pain or occasional vomiting or diarrhea

Some adults 18-49 years of age have reported:

• runny nose or nasal congestion
• sore throat
• cough, chills, tiredness/weakness
• headache

Severe Problems

• Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
• If rare reactions occur with any product, they may not be identified until thousands, or millions, of people have used it. Millions of doses of LAIV have been distributed since it was licensed, and the vaccine has not been associated with any serious problems.

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: Vaccine Safety Monitoring and Vaccine Safety Activites.

This information was taken directly from the LAIV VIS[PDF - 37KB]
(This information taken from Live Influenza VIS dated 8/10/10. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 JE-IXIARO vaccine side-effects
(Japanese Encephalitis - IXIARO)

What are the risks from Japanese encephalitis vaccine?

Like any medicine, a vaccine could cause a serious reaction. But the risk of JE vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild Problems

• pain or tenderness where the shot was given (about 1 person in 4)
• redness or swelling where the shot was given (about 1 person in 20)
• headache, muscle aches (about 1 person in 5)

Moderate or Severe Problems

This vaccine only became available in 2009. From studies that have been done so far, severe reactions are very rare. Like all vaccines, it will continue to be monitored for serious problems.

This information was taken directly from the JE-Ixiaro VIS[PDF - 67KB]
(This information taken from Japanese Encephalitis Ixiaro VIS dated 3/1/10. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 MMR vaccine side-effects
(Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

What are the risks from MMR vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of MMR vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Getting MMR vaccine is much safer than getting any of these three diseases.

Most people who get MMR vaccine do not have any problems with it.

Mild Problems

• Fever (up to 1 person out of 6)
• Mild rash (about 1 person out of 20)
• Swelling of glands in the cheeks or neck (rare)
  If these problems occur, it is usually within 7-12 days after the shot. They occur less often after the second dose.

Moderate Problems

• Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by fever (about 1 out of 3,000 doses)
• Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, mostly in teenage or adult women (up to 1 out of 4)
• Temporary low platelet count, which can cause a bleeding disorder (about 1 out of 30,000 doses)

Severe Problems (Very Rare)

• Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 out of a million doses)
• Several other severe problems have been known to occur after a child gets MMR vaccine. But this happens so rarely, experts cannot be sure whether they are caused by the vaccine or not. These include:
  • Deafness
  • Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness
  • Permanent brain damage

Note: The first dose of MMRV vaccine has been associated with rash and higher rates of fever than MMR and varicella vaccines given separately. Rash has been reported in about 1 person in 20 and fever in about 1 person in 5. Seizures caused by a fever are also reported more often after MMRV. These usually occur 5-12 days after the first dose.

This information was taken directly from the MMR VIS[PDF - 54KB]
(This information taken from MMR VIS dated 3/13/08. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 MMRV vaccine side-effects
(Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella)

What are the risks from MMRV vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of MMRV vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Getting MMRV vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps, rubella, or chickenpox.

Most children who get MMRV vaccine do not have any problems with it.

Mild Problems

• Fever (about 1 child out of 5).
• Mild rash (about 1 child out of 20).
• Swelling of glands in the cheeks or neck (rare).

If these problems happen, it is usually within 5-12 days after the fi rst dose. They happen less often after the second dose.

Moderate Problems

• Seizure caused by fever (about 1 child in 1,250 who get MMRV), usually 5-12 days after the first dose. They happen less often when MMR and varicella vaccines are given at the same visit as separate shots (about 1 child in 2,500 who get these two vaccines), and rarely after a 2nd dose of MMRV.
• Temporary low platelet count, which can cause a bleeding disorder (about 1 child out of 40,000).

Severe Problems (Very Rare)
Several severe problems have been reported following MMR vaccine, and might also happen after MMRV. These include severe allergic reactions (fewer than 4 per million), and problems such as:

• Deafness.
• Long-term seizures, coma, lowered consciousness.
• Permanent brain damage.

Because these problems occur so rarely, we can’t be sure whether they are caused by the vaccine or not.

This information was taken directly from the MMRV VIS[PDF - 242KB]
(This information taken from MMRV VIS dated 5/21/10. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Meningococcal vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from meningococcal vaccines?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of the meningococcal vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild Problems

As many as half the people who get meningococcal vaccines have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot was given.

If these problems occur, they usually last for 1 or 2 days. They are more common after MCV4 than after MPSV4.

A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a fever.

Severe Problems

• Serious allergic reactions, within a few minutes to a few hours of the shot, are very rare.
• A serious nervous system disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (or GBS) has been reported among some people who received MCV4. This happens so rarely that it is currently not possible to tell if the vaccine might be a factor. Even if it is, the risk is very small.

This information was taken directly from the Meningococcal VIS[PDF - 62KB]
(This information taken from Meningococcal VIS dated 1/28/08. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 PCV13 vaccine side-effects
(Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)

What are the risks from PCV13?

Any medicine, including a vaccine, could possibly cause a serious problem, such as severe allergic reaction. However, the risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

In studies, most reactions after PCV13 were mild. They were similar to reactions reported after PCV7, which has been in use since 2000. Reported reactions varied by dose and age, but on average:

• About half of children were drowsy after the shot, had a temporary loss of appetite, or had redness or tenderness where the shot was given.
• About 1 out of 3 had swelling where the shot was given.
• About 1 out of 3 had a mild fever, and about 1 in 20 had a higher fever (over 102.2°F).
• Up to about 8 out of 10 became fussy or irritable.

Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

This information was taken directly from the PCV VIS[PDF - 31KB]
(This information taken from PCV VIS dated 4/16/10. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 PPSV23 vaccine side-effects
(Pneumococcal Polysaccharide)

What are the risks from PPSV?

About half of people who get PPSV have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot is given.

Less than 1 percent develop a fever, muscle aches, or more severe local reactions.

A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious reaction. But the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

This information was taken directly from the PPSV VIS[PDF - 121KB]
(This information taken from PPSV VIS dated 10/6/09. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Polio vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from IPV?

Some people who get Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) get a sore spot where the shot was given. The vaccine used today has never been known to cause any serious problems, and most people don’t have any problems at all with it.

However, a vaccine, like any medicine, could cause serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction. The risk of a polio shot causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

This information was taken directly from the IPV VIS[PDF - 60KB]
(This information taken from IPV VIS dated 1/1/00. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Rabies vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from rabies vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Serious problems from rabies vaccine are very rare.

Mild Problems

• soreness, redness, swelling, or itching where the shot was given (30% - 74%)
• headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, dizziness (5% - 40%)

Moderate Problems

• hives, pain in the joints, fever (about 6% of booster doses)

Other nervous system disorders, such as Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS), have been reported after rabies vaccine, but this happens so rarely that it is not known whether they are related to the vaccine.

NOTE: Several brands of rabies vaccine are available in the United States, and reactions may vary between brands. Your provider can give you more information about a particular brand.

This information was taken directly from the Rabies VIS[PDF - 58KB]
(This information taken from Rabies VIS dated 10/6/09. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Rotavirus vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from rotavirus vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

A virus (or parts of a virus) called porcine circovirus is present in both rotavirus vaccines. There is no evidence that this virus is a safety risk or causes illness in humans. For more information, the rotavirus vaccination page.

Most babies who get rotavirus vaccine do not have any problems with it.

Mild Problems
Babies might become irritable, or have mild, temporary diarrhea or vomiting after getting a dose of rotavirus vaccine.

Serious Problems
Some studies have shown a small increase in cases of intussusception within a week after the first dose of rotavirus vaccine. Intussusception is a type of bowel blockage that is treated in a hospital. In some cases surgery might be required. The estimated risk is 1 intussusception case per 100,000 infants.

This information was taken directly from the Rotavirus VIS[PDF - 66KB]
(This information taken from Rotavirus VIS dated 12/6/10. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from shingles vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

No serious problems have been identified with shingles vaccine.

Mild Problems

• Redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection (about 1 person in 3).
• Headache (about 1 person in 70).

Like all vaccines, shingles vaccine is being closely monitored for unusual or severe problems.

This information was taken directly from the Shingles VIS[PDF - 47KB]
(This information taken from Shingles VIS dated 10/6/09. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Smallpox (Vaccinia) vaccine side-effects

This medication guide replaces the Smallpox VIS. It is to be used before one receives the vaccination. Medical Guide for vaccination with ACAM2000[PDF - 227KB]

 Td vaccine (Adult Tetanus & Diphtheria) AND
Tdap vaccine (Combined Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis)

What are the risks from Tdap and Td vaccines?

With a vaccine (as with any medicine) there is always a small risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction or other serious problem.

Getting tetanus, diphtheria or pertussis would be much more likely to lead to severe problems than getting either vaccine. Problems reported after Td and Tdap vaccines are listed below.

Mild Problems (noticeable, but did not interfere with activities)

Tdap

• Pain (about 3 in 4 adolescents and 2 in 3 adults)
• Redness or swelling (about 1 in 5)
• Mild fever of at least 100.4°F (up to about 1 in 25 adolescents and 1 in 100 adults)
• Headache (about 4 in 10 adolescents and 3 in 10 adults)
• Tiredness (about 1 in 3 adolescents and 1 in 4 adults)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 1 in 4 adolescents and 1 in 10 adults)
• Chills, body aches, sore joints, rash, swollen glands (uncommon)

Td

• Pain (up to about 8 in 10)
• Redness or swelling (up to about 1 in 3)
• Mild fever (up to about 1 in 15)
• Headache or tiredness (uncommon)

Moderate Problems (interfered with activities, but did not require medical attention)

Tdap

• Pain at the injection site (about 1 in 20 adolescents and 1 in 100 adults)
• Redness or swelling (up to about 1 in 16 adolescents and 1 in 25 adults)
• Fever over 102°F (about 1 in 100 adolescents and 1 in 250 adults)
• Headache (1 in 300)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 3 in 100 adolescents and 1 in 100 adults)

Td

• Fever over 102°F (rare)

Tdap or Td

• Extensive swelling of the arm where the shot was given (up to about 3 in 100).

Severe Problems(unable to perform usual activities; required medical attention)

Tdap

• Two adults had nervous system problems after getting the vaccine during clinical trials. These may or may not have been caused by the vaccine. These problems went away on their own and did not cause any permanent harm.

Tdap or Td

• Swelling, severe pain, and redness in the arm where the shot was given (rare).

A severe allergic reaction could occur after any vaccine. They are estimated to occur less than once in a million doses.

This information was taken directly from the Td-Tdap VIS[PDF - 47KB]
(This information taken from Td-Tdap VIS dated 11/18/08. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Typhoid vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from typhoid vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Serious problems from either of the two typhoid vaccines are very rare.

Inactivated Typhoid Vaccine (Shot)

  Mild Reactions

• Fever (up to about 1 person per 100).
• Headache (up to about 3 people per 100).
• Redness or swelling at the site of the injection (up to 7 people per 100).

Live Typhoid Vaccine (Oral)

  Mild Reactions

• Fever or headache (up to about 5 people per 100).
• Abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or rash (rare).

This information was taken directly from the Typhoid VIS[PDF - 47KB]
(This information taken from Typhoid VIS dated 5/19/04. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from chickenpox vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of chickenpox vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox disease. Most people who get chickenpox vaccine do not have any problems with it. Reactions are usually more likely after the first dose than after the second.

Mild Problems

• Soreness or swelling where the shot was given (about 1 out of 5 children and up to 1 out of 3 adolescents and adults)
• Fever (1 person out of 10, or less)
• Mild rash, up to a month after vaccination (1 person out of 25). It is possible for these people to infect other members of their household, but this is extremely rare.

Note: The first dose of MMRV vaccine has been associated with rash and higher rates of fever than MMR and varicella vaccines given separately. Rash has been reported in about 1 person in 20 and fever in about 1 person in 5. Seizures caused by a fever are also reported more often after MMRV. These usually occur 5-12 days after the first dose.

Moderate Problems

• Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by fever (very rare).

Severe Problems

• Pneumonia (very rare)

Other serious problems, including severe brain reactions and low blood count, have been reported after chickenpox vaccination. These happen so rarely experts cannot tell whether they are caused by the vaccine or not. If they are, it is extremely rare.

This information was taken directly from the Varicella VIS[PDF - 43KB]
(This information taken from Varicella VIS dated 3/13/08. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 Yellow Fever vaccine side-effects

What are the risks from Yellow Fever vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious reaction. But the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely low.

Mild Problems

Yellow fever vaccine has been associated with fever, and with aches, soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given.

These problems occur in up to 1 person out of 4. They usually begin soon after the shot, and can last up to a week.

Severe Problems

• Severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component (about 1 person in 55,000).
• Severe nervous system reaction (about 1 person in 125,000).
• Life-threatening severe illness with organ failure (about 1 person in 250,000). More than half the people who suffer this side effect die.
  
  These last two problems have never been reported after a booster dose.

This information was taken directly from the Yellow Fever VIS[PDF - 36KB]
(This information taken from Yellow Fever VIS dated 3/30/11. If the actual VIS is more recent than this date, the information on this page needs to be updated.)

 What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?

What should I look for?

• Any unusual condition, such as a high fever, weakness, or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.

What should I do?

• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.
• Ask your provider to report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form. Or you can file this report through the VAERS
  website at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
• VAERS does not provide medical advice.
• Reporting reactions helps experts learn about possible problems with vaccines.