Table. Common side effects following immunisation for vaccines used in the National Immunisation Program schedule

Common adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are usually mild and temporary. They usually occur in the first few days after vaccination. Specific treatment is not usually needed.

If the AEFI is unexpected, persistent or severe, or if you are worried about your or your child’s condition, see your doctor or immunisation nurse as soon as possible, or go directly to a hospital. Seek medical advice if you or your child are unwell, as this may be due to another illness, not because of the vaccination. Report adverse events following immunisation to the Therapeutic Goods Administration or to the Adverse Medicines Events line on 1300 134 237, or check with your immunisation provider about how to report AEFI in your state or territory.

Vaccine	Common AEFI
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (acellular), DTPa-containing vaccines and dTpa (reduced antigen) vaccines	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Low-grade fever Children may be irritable, crying, drowsy, tired, unsettled and generally unhappy
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib)	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Low-grade fever
Hepatitis A vaccine	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Low-grade fever
Hepatitis B vaccine	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Low-grade fever
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Low-grade fever Mild headache Mild nausea
Influenza vaccine	Drowsiness or tiredness Muscle aches Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Low-grade fever
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR, MMRV – see also varicella)	Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Seen 7–10 days after vaccination: Fever (can be >39.4˚C), lasting 2–3 days, faint red rash (not infectious), head cold and/or runny nose, cough and/or puffy eyes Drowsiness or tiredness Swelling of salivary glands
Meningococcal vaccine	Irritable, crying, unsettled and generally unhappy Loss of appetite Headache (usually in adolescents and adults) Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Low-grade fever
Pneumococcal vaccines (13vPCV and 23vPPV)	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Low-grade fever
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and IPV-containing vaccines	Muscle aches Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Low-grade fever
Rotavirus vaccine	Vomiting and diarrhoea can occur up to 7 days following vaccination
Varicella vaccine	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Occasionally, an injection-site nodule; may last many weeks; no treatment needed Fever (can be >39˚C) 5–26 days after vaccination: pustular rash (2–5 lesions), usually at injection site, occasionally elsewhere
Zoster vaccine (Shingrix)	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site Fever Fatigue Gastrointestinal symptoms Headache Shivering Myalgia

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.

Managing fever after immunisation

Give extra fluids to drink. Do not overdress the baby if hot. Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, it can be given if the person has a fever. The dose of paracetamol for a child up to 12 years of age is 15 mg/kg/dose, every 4–6 hours, up to 4 times a day. Adults and children aged ≥12 years can receive 500 to 1000 mg every 4–6 hours. Do not give paracetamol for more than 48 hours without seeking medical advice

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Last updated

1 November 2023

Last reviewed

1 November 2023

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Table. Common side effects following immunisation for vaccines used in the National Immunisation Program schedule

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