Side effects of Immunisation

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Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, and usually depend upon the vaccination given. Possible side effects include:

Redness or swelling at the injection site;
Fever â€“ give paracetamol or infant paracetamol suspension to bring temperature down;
Minor features of the disease being vaccinated against â€“ e.g. mild rubella- or measles-like rash, or swelling of glands following mumps vaccine.

Rarely, some people have a serious reaction to a vaccine called anaphylactic shock. This is a type of hypersensitive (allergic) reaction triggered by exposure to an antigen (a substance which the body recognises as alien). In the case of vaccines, this is usually a tiny amount of antibiotics, which are used during manufacture, or egg protein used as a culture medium during manufacture.

Anaphylaxis caused by vaccination is very rare. If you have any concerns, you should speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor , or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647, before the vaccination.