Ngā mate āpiti o ngā rongoā āraimate, ngā tauhohe me te haumaru Vaccine side effects, reactions and safety

Some people experience reactions from immunisations. These are usually very mild and do not last long. All of the vaccines available in Aotearoa New Zealand have been assessed for safety and effectiveness.

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Common reactions

Like most medicines, vaccines can sometimes cause reactions. These are usually mild, and not everyone will get them.

Mild reactions are normal and show that your immune system is responding to the vaccine.

If you are going to have any reactions, they normally happen in the first few days after getting vaccinated. The vaccine itself is gone from your body within a few hours or days as it gets processed by the immune system.

The most common reaction to an immunisation includes:

  • a slight fever
  • pain or swelling where the needle went in.

Allergic reactions

Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare. Only about 1 in 1 million people will experience this.

Your vaccinator is well-trained and knows what to look for and can treat an allergic reaction quickly if it happens.

Serious allergic reactions normally happen within the first few minutes of vaccination, this is why you need to wait for up to 20 minutes after immunisation.


What reactions to look out for

Every vaccine has different reactions. At the appointment, your vaccinator will let you know what reactions to look out for. This will help you know what to expect.

For example, some tamariki or adults may develop a fever or a mild rash. This is an expected response after some vaccines, and usually does not last long. It does not mean your child is sick.

If you select the different vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Schedule you can learn about specific reactions associated with each vaccine.

National Immunisation Schedule (internal link)


How to treat common reactions in children

Some ways you can make your child more comfortable after their vaccination include the following.

  • If their arm or leg is sore from the injection, put a wet cloth or ice pack (wrapped in a dry cloth) on it. Do not rub the injection site.
  • If they have a fever, keep your child hydrated. Provide them with lots of water to drink. If breastfeeding, give your child lots of feeds.
  • If your child gets too hot, reduce the amount of clothing they are wearing.
  • Give your child lots of cuddles.

Give paracetamol or ibuprofen as advised by your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider.

If you have concerns about symptoms after a vaccine

If you have a concern about a reaction after an immunisation:

  • talk to your doctor, nurse, or trusted healthcare provider
  • call Healthline on 0800 611 116 anytime.

Serious reactions are rare, but can include:

  • wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives or nettlerash
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, or
  • swelling of other parts of the body.

Call 111 and make sure you tell them what vaccine was given.

Reporting side effects

If you, or your child, experience any side effects after a vaccine, you can report them to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM).

Report a side effect


Vaccine safety

After access to clean water, immunisation is the most effective health intervention in the world for saving lives.

As well as reducing the risk of getting really sick, there are many other benefits to immunisation.

It’s normal to feel cautious, especially when you’re making a decision about the health of your tamariki, but the benefits to your child of getting vaccinated are much greater than the risks that come with getting the disease if they’re not.

All vaccines used in Aotearoa New Zealand have been tested for safety and effectiveness.