Pediatric immunization schedule – vaccine side effects

Not a day goes by when I am not asked about possible side effects in children after vaccinations. Here is my list of common side effects for the vaccines we give most often in Canada, according to the Centers For Disease Control. Please check your local child immunization schedule to see when these vaccines are given.

1. Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, H influenza (DTap-IPV-HiB) vaccine – ‘Pediacel’ – Tdap vaccine side effects and whooping cough vaccine side effects

• Fever – ¼
• Redness or swelling where the shot was given – ¼
• Tenderness where the shot was given – ¼
• Arm or leg swelling – 1/30
• Fussiness – 1/3
• Poor appetite or fatigue – 1/10
• High fever – 1/16,000
• Seizures – 1/4,000
• Allergic reaction – 1/1,000,000
• Kids more frequently get symptoms with the 4^th or 5^th dose

2. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine – ‘Prevnar’ side effects

• Fatigue – ½
• Redness or pain at vaccine site – ½
• Poor appetite – ½
• Swelling at vaccine site – 1/3
• Fever – 1/3
• Fussiness – 8/10

3. Rotavirus vaccine side effects

• Irritability – 1/10
• Diarrhea – 1/10

4. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine – MMR vaccine side effects

• Fever – 1/6
• Rash – 1/20
• Swollen lymph nodes – 1/75
• Febrile seizures – 1/3,000
• Stiffness or pain in the joints – ¼ adults, not common in kids
• Allergic reaction – 1/1,000,000

5. Meningococcal (Men C) vaccine side effects

• Redness or pain at the vaccine site – 1/10

6. Varicella vaccine – chicken pox vaccine side effects

• Tenderness at the vaccine location – 1/5
• Fever – 1/10
• Rash – 1/25