Adverse vaccination reactions

Communicable Disease Control Branch ~ Immunisation Section

The following will provide you with information and advice about possible adverse events following immunisation.

Do vaccines have side effects?

Modern vaccines provide high levels of protection against many infectious diseases. All vaccines used in Australia have been extensively tested for safety. Like all medications and natural medications, vaccines may have side effects. For vaccines most side effects are short-lived and do not lead to any long-term problems. The table below lists the side effects of those vaccines that are commonly used in Australia.

So what is an adverse event following immunisation?

An adverse event following immunisation is any reaction that you may consider serious or unexpected and possibly related to vaccination.
An adverse event following immunisation does not include any of those side effects listed in the Common minor side effects to vaccines that do not require reporting table.

What do I need to do if I think an adverse event following immunisation is taking place?

Seek immediate medical attention from your general practitioner, immunisation provider, hospital or ambulance service. The reaction will be treated and recorded.
A medical consultation is recommended before the next vaccination.

Do adverse events following immunisation need to be reported?

All adverse events following immunisation need to be reported to the South Australia Immunisation Coordination Unit (SAICU). Reporting form
Please report an adverse event following immunisation promptly.

For 0-18 years:

Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline: 1300-364-100
24 hours, 7 days a week (cost of a local call) or direct to SAICU on 8226-7177

For adults:

SA Immunisation Coordination Unit on 8226-7177
Or you can ask your immunisation provider, general practitioner, hospital doctor or nurse to report it for you.

Why report an adverse event following immunisation?

You will receive support and advice on whether or not further vaccines should be given to the person who had the adverse event following immunisation
You will receive additional information about the risks and benefits of continuing vaccinations.
Reporting of adverse events following immunisation helps to ensure the vaccine safety is well monitored.

What happens when you report an adverse event following immunisation?

A report is taken of which vaccine was involved and the nature and the severity of the reaction.
The South Australian Immunisation Coordination Unit will assess each report. A response will be sent to you and to the person who reported the adverse event. You will be given information about the risks of having the immunisation compared with the risks of getting the disease.
Your child or you may need to attend a special immunisation service to decide on further immunisations. You will be informed of services in your area.
If the reaction is serious, confidential information will be sent to the national health authorities.

What about future vaccinations?

In the majority of cases, immunisation can continue under medical supervision and reactions do not usually happen again.

Where can I get further information?

Contact the South Australian Immunisation Coordination Unit. Ph: 8226-7177

Common minor side effects to vaccines that do not require reporting

Vaccine	Side effect	When this could start
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis DTPa	Mild fever, unsettled, swelling or soreness at the injection site	Within 4 hours
Hepatitis B vaccine Hep B	Mild fever, unsettled, soreness at the injection site, nausea, malaise, muscle or joint pain	Within 4 hours
IPV	Pain, redness, swelling at injection site, fever, crying and lack of appetite	Within 4 hours
Oral Polio Vaccine OPV	Diarrhoea, headache, and/or muscle pain	Within 4 hours
Haemophilus influenza type b Hib	Mild fever, unsettled, swelling or soreness at the injection site	Within 4 hours
Measles Mumps Rubella MMR	Mild fever, rash, unsettled, swollen glands	Between 5 and 12 days after immunisation
Adsorbed diphtheria tetanus Td	Swelling or soreness at injection site	Within 4 hours
Influenza vaccine Flu vaccine	Mild fever, malaise, muscle pain, swelling or soreness at the site of injection	Within 4 hours
BCG TB vaccine	Swelling or slight discharge at the site of vaccination	Within 3 weeks, lasting for up to 2 months
Pneumococcal	Mild fever, swelling or soreness at injection site	Within 4 hours
Varicella	Mild fever, rash, swelling or soreness at injection site	Within 0 to 42 days
Q fever	Swelling or soreness at injection site, mild flu-like symptoms, rarely fever, chills and minor sweating	Within 12 hours to 14 days
Meningococcal C	Pain, redness, swelling at injection site, fever, irritability, lack of appetite and headaches	Within 4 hours

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Immunisation Section ~ Telephone 8226-7177 ~ Fax 8226 7197

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