Any medication can cause minor side
effects and vaccines are no different (2). However, it does not make them any
less safe. Vaccines are safe and their side effects are usually minor as well
as temporary (3). Vaccines may cause low grade fever, pain or redness at the
site of injection, or a rash. Even slight discomfort is normal (2). While rare,
sever or long lasting side effects are extremely rare (1).
Vaccines are safe. Any licensed
vaccine is rigorously tested across multiple trials phases before being
approved for use. After being approved they are regularly monitored and
assessed. Scientist are also constantly monitoring information for signs that
the vaccine is causing a health risk (2). If your child does have a serious reaction,
then you should call your doctor immediately. Make sure to write down what
happened, along with the date and time that it occurred. Then ask your doctor
to file a VAERS, or a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (1).
If a vaccine is suspected to have a problem,
then a thorough investigation will take place. During an investigation they
will thoroughly examine the case which reported the problem, which includes a
medical assessment, and if needed studies are conducted (4). However, during
these investigations it is extremely rare that the health problem was caused by
the vaccine. Instead health events are usually found to be coincidental and unrelated
to the vaccine (4). Other times though it could be to how the vaccine has been
stored, transported or administered and can be prevented in the future by
proper training, and improving vaccination programs. There are rare cases where
a genuine adverse reaction is suspected from a vaccine. In these cases, further
investigation will happen in order to determine the cause in order to correct
it (4).
Keep in mind that a person is more
likely to be hurt by a vaccine preventable disease than the vaccine that
protects them. Many vaccine preventable disease may result in death without
being vaccinated. Therefore, the benefits of being vaccinated vastly outweigh
the risks that come with not being vaccinated (3).
Resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, July 12). Vaccines: Vac-Gen/10 Things You Need to Know. Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/10-shouldknow.htm
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 02). Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Side Effects. Retrieved May 2, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Q&A on vaccines. Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.who.int/vaccines/questions-and-answers
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Q&A on vaccine safety. Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-vaccine-safety
