Common side effects of immunisation and what to do
State and Territory information:
Many children experience minor side effects following immunisation. Most side effects last a short time and the child recovers without any problems.
A child needs comforting if side effects occur. You can reduce side effects by following the list below of simple guidelines for common side effects of each immunisation.
For guidance on how to use safely use paracetamol see Paracetamol doses for children to reduce side effects.
DTPa (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine)
IPV (inactivated polio vaccine)
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine
MMR (measles-mumps-rubella vaccine)
Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine
Varicella (chickenpox vaccine)
DTPa (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine)
Common reactions
The following may occur soon after immunisation and may last up to two days:- Low grade fever;
- Being grizzly, unsettled and generally unhappy;
- Soreness, swelling and redness in the area where the injection was given; or
- Drowsiness or tiredness.
What to do
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
IPV (inactivated polio vaccine)
Possible reactions
The following reactions may occur after immunisation:- Muscle aches;
- Soreness, swelling and redness in the area where the injection was given; or
- Low grade fever.
What to do
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine
Possible reactions
The following reactions are uncommon and if they occur, it is soon after the immunisation;- Low grade fever; or
- Soreness, redness and swelling in the area where the injection was given.
What to do:
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Possible reactions
The following reactions are uncommon and if they occur, it is soon after the immunisation:- Low grade fever; or
- Soreness, redness and swelling in the area where the injection was given.
What to do:
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Common reactions
The following reactions may occur after immunisation:- Soreness, swelling and redness in the area where the injection was given; or
- Low grade fever.
What to do:
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
MMR (measles-mumps-rubella vaccine)
Common reactions
Discomfort at the injection site may occur. The following may occur seven to ten days after immunisation and last less than two to three days:- Low grade fever;
- Faint rash (not infectious);
- Cough and/or puffy eyes; and
- Drowsiness and tiredness.
What to do:
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine
Common reactions
The following reactions may occur after immunisation:- Soreness, swelling and redness in the area where the injection was given.
- Loss of appetite
- Headache and/or muscle pains
- Low grade fever; or
- Being grizzly, unsettled and generally unhappy.
What to do:
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
Varicella (chickenpox vaccine)
Common reactions
The following reactions may occur after immunisation:- Soreness, swelling and redness in the area where the injection was given; or
- Low grade fever.
- Rash, usually at the injection site, which occasionally covers other body parts.
What to do:
- Give extra fluids to drink;
- Do not overdress the baby if hot; and
- Give paracetamol to lower fever if needed.
Page last modified: 10 October, 2005