After vaccination, some people experience side effects, such as minor redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site and/or mild headaches or tiredness and even mild fever.
These side effects are perfectly normal.
If you or your child had government-funded vaccines as part of the Australian Immunisation Schedule (including most childhood immunisations), you can review the Victorian government’s Vaccine side effects information sheet for details of common side effects for the particular vaccines given to you or your child, as well as information on how to manage them.
Further general information for managing side effects of vaccines is given below.
Pain relief
The routine use of paracetamol (eg. Panadol) at the time of vaccination is no longer recommended as today’s vaccines have fewer side effects. An exception applies for the Bexero vaccine for Meningococcal B - see below for more details.
If you or your child have pain or fever after a vaccination, you can use paracetamol to help, remembering to carefully follow the instructions on the packet.
Never give aspirin to a child or adolescent under 16. It can cause a rare, but severe illness called Reye’s Syndrome.
You can ease the soreness at the injection site by placing a wet cloth over it.
Fainting
This is mainly seen in adolescents and adults. If you feel light-headed or dizzy before or after a vaccination you should lie down until you feel better.
Vomiting and diarrhoea
If these symptoms are severe or persistent, book an appointment with a GP.
Irritability, loss of appetite, sleepiness
These are common symptoms and do not require any treatment. These symptoms usually disappear after 24 to 48 hours – if they don’t, book an appointment with a GP.
Your child may need extra comforting after vaccination.
Fever
If you or your child develops a fever higher than 38.5 °C after a vaccination, take paracetamol (not aspirin) as directed depending on the patient’s weight and age. Make sure you drink extra fluids and wear light-weight, loose clothing.
If your child has a fever:
take their temperature regularly. If your child has a persistent high temperature, book an appointment with a GP
give them extra fluids (for example more breast feeds or more water)
dress them in light clothing
do not give them a bath in cool water. This can cause shivering, which can increase the body’s core temperature.
Seizure
Seizures (convulsions or fit) can occur in young children if they experience a fever after a vaccination. They usually last 20 seconds, rarely more than 2 minutes.
If you or your child has a seizure after a vaccination you should call 000 to request an ambulance. You should always make sure your child sees a doctor if they have a seizure.
Managing injection site discomfort
Many vaccine injections can cause soreness, redness, itching, swelling or burning at the injection site for 1–2 days. Paracetamol might be needed to ease the discomfort. 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.
Bexero
If your child is having the Bexero vaccine for Meningococcal B, one dose of paracetamol is recommended within 30-minutes prior to, or as soon as practicable after, vaccination. Two more doses of paracetamol should then be given 6 hours apart, even if the child does not have a fever.
Doses of paracetamol should be administered in accordance with the instructions on the packet.
significant or unexpected side effects
If you or your child experience significant or unexpected side effects following immunisation, please book an appointment with a GP. If we are closed, see here for details of our After Hours Service. In an emergency, you should call 000.