Reactions to vaccines are common and almost always harmless. Severe allergic (anaphylactic) reactions to any vaccine are possible, but they are extremely rare or have never been reported. Listed below are the symptoms for a severe allergic reaction as well as common reactions to specific vaccines. Show
What should I do if my child has a severe allergic reaction? A severe reaction is very rare. If it does happen, it is almost always within minutes after the immunization. Seek help immediately or call 911 if you notice the following severe allergic reactions:
What are the possible reactions to the different vaccines? The percentage listed next to each reaction shows the percentage of children who have this reaction. Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)
CALL YOUR PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF the following rare but serious reactions occur:
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) These reactions may begin 5 to 12 days after getting the vaccine:
Polio Vaccine (IPV)
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
Haemophilus Influenza Type B Vaccine (HIB)
Hepatitis B Vaccine (Hep B)
Chickenpox Vaccine (VAR)
Children with these rashes can go to day care or school. If the vaccine rash contains fluid, cover it with clothing or a Band-Aid. Avoid school if there are widespread, weepy sores (because this may be real chickenpox). Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Vaccine
Influenza Virus Vaccine (Injection)
Influenza Virus Vaccine (Intranasal) Some children who get the nasal spray form of the flu vaccine will have symptoms such as:
These symptoms do not last long and go away on their own. Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV)
Human Papillomavirus Virus Vaccine (HPV)
Fainting is very rare after receiving a vaccine. Anyone receiving a vaccine should be observed for 15 minutes after the shot.
COVID-19 vaccines: For information about COVID-19 vaccines please go to the Victorian Government's coronavirus (COVID-19) . About immunisationImmunisation from an early age is highly recommended for all Australian children. Having your child immunised helps to protect them from the most serious childhood infections, some of which may threaten their lives. Routine childhood immunisations help to protect your child against: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants are also protected against meningococcal B disease. The National Immunisation Program provides the routine childhood immunisations recommended for all children in Australia, free of charge. Some groups are more at risk than others in the community and may need extra vaccinations. The Victorian government funds some extra vaccines from time to time. See your doctor or local health clinic to have your child immunised. All Victorian local councils provide immunisation sessions. Immunisation and young childrenIn the first months of life, a baby might have some protection from infectious diseases that their mother has had or been immunised against. This is known as passive immunity. It occurs when antibodies are transferred from mother to baby during pregnancy. The level of antibody protection for the baby can be low and wears off quickly. This puts them at risk of diseases that can be prevented with vaccination. Most childhood immunisations are given as an injection in the arm or leg, except rotavirus vaccine, which is given by mouth. A vaccination dose may contain a vaccine against one specific disease, or several diseases. This is known as a combination injection, and it helps to reduce the number of injections your child needs. Immunisation schedule for Victorian babies and young childrenThe Victorian immunisation outlines the vaccines that are routinely provided free of charge to all Victorian children under the National Immunisation and the Victorian funded program. It also outlines the age at which each vaccination should be given. New vaccines against serious infections continue to be developed and the schedule might be updated in the future.
Additional vaccines are given to children with certain medical risk conditions that put them at increased risk of complications from vaccine preventable diseases, such as:
Talk with your doctor to see if your child should get extra vaccines. Immunising your child is importantThere are immunisation requirements that your child needs to meet in order to go to childcare, kindergarten and primary school in Victoria. By law, your child’s immunisations must be up to date before they start childcare and kindergarten. The Australian Immunisation (Tel. 1800 653 809) will provide you with information on how to get your child's Immunisation History (a record of their immunisation status) on request or you can download it from your myGov account. In Victoria, parents/guardians of children attending a childcare or kindergarten service are required to provide an updated Immunisation History Statement to the service if the child has a new vaccine(s). This ensures that the service always has current information about the child’s immunisation status. Parents who immunise their children at the appropriate age may be eligible for Australian Government family assistance payments. For more information, visit the Services Australia or visit a or Medicare Service . Preparing for your child's immunisationWhen you take your child for each vaccination, it important to take your child's My Health and Development Record (the green book) or your child's health record booklet, so that the doctor, nurse or health worker can record your child's visit. These records are an important reminder of when your child's next immunisations are due and which children in the family are immunised. There is also the option of setting up an record for your child and downloading the My Child's eHealth Record . Pre-immunisation checklistBefore the immunisation, you need to tell the doctor or nurse if your child:
Immunisations are effective and safe, although all medication can have unwanted side effects. Some children may experience a reaction to a vaccine. In virtually all cases, immunisation side effects are not as serious as the symptoms a child would experience if they were to contract the disease. The mild side effects can include a mild fever and pain at the injection site. For specific information about side effects from different doses of vaccine, ask your doctor or healthcare professional. The meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero, commonly causes a fever in children aged less than 2 years. Paracetamol must be given in the 30 minutes before vaccination or as soon as practicable after vaccination for children less than 2 years. This should be followed by 2 more doses given 6 hours apart regardless of whether the child has a fever. Managing fever after immunisationCommon side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary (occurring one to 2 days after vaccination). Specific treatment is not usually required. There are a number of treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:
Managing injection site reactionsMany vaccine injections may result in soreness, redness, itching, swelling or a burning feeling at the injection site for one to 2 days. Paracetamol and a cool compress on the site might be required to ease the discomfort. If a side effect following immunisation is unexpected, persistent or severe or if you are worried about yourself or your child's condition after a vaccination, see your doctor or immunisation nurse as soon as possible or go directly to a hospital. Immunisation side effects may be reported to , the Victorian vaccine safety service (Tel. 1300 882 924 and select option 1). You can discuss with your immunisation provider how to report adverse events in other states or territories. There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any vaccine. This is why you are advised to stay at the clinic or medical surgery for at least 15 minutes following immunisation in case further treatment is required. If your child misses an immunisationTo fully protect your child, it is best to immunise your child at the recommended age. If you have fallen behind or missed a vaccine, the vaccine schedule can be safely continued as if there had been no delay. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider about catch-up doses of vaccine. There is no need to repeat doses already received before having catch-up doses. Immunisation and HALOThe immunisations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are referred to as HALO. Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you think you or someone in your care has health, age, lifestyle or occupation factors that could mean immunisation is necessary. You can check your immunisation HALO using the Immunisation for Life infographic. Where to get help
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. |