The vaccine is made from a weakened form of the 17D strain of the virus. It has been regarded as one of the safest virus vaccines, with few side-effects or adverse events. The most common side effect is mild soreness or redness at the injection site, headache, low-grade fever, or a runny nose for a day after receiving the vaccine.

Some parents may hesitate to have their kids vaccinated because they're worried that the children will have serious reactions or may get the illness the vaccine is supposed to prevent. Because the components of vaccines are weakened or killed -- and in some cases, only parts of the microorganism are used -- they're unlikely to cause any serious illness. Some vaccines may cause mild reactions, such as soreness where the shot was given or fever, but serious reactions are rare.

Reactions to DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), polio, Hemophilus influenzae type b, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, influenza, chickenpox (varicella) and pneumococcus vaccines are covered. Most reactions at the injection site occur within 2 days and most general reactions or fever within 7 days. Severe allergic reactions are very rare, but can occur with any vaccine.

Although not generally life-threatening, measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox can all have serious complications. While many adults contracted chicken pox as a childhood rite of passage, the varicella virus killed 100 and hospitalized 11,000 people every year before the vaccine became available. Generally, the virus causes a rash, itching, fever and fatigue, but it can also cause severe skin infections, scars, pneumonia and brain damage. And a person who has had chicken pox can get a painful rash called shingles years later, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tetanus vaccination is one of the recommended childhood immunizations and should begin during infancy. Tetanus immunization is generally required before starting school. Five doses of vaccine are recommended. It is much riskier to get tetanus than it is to get the vaccine. Mild reactions to DTaP (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) are fairly common and include:

• Slight fever (occurs in about 1 in 4 people)
• Redness or swelling at the injection site (about 1 in 4)
• Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given (about 1 in 4)
• Fussiness (up to 1 in 3) etc.

Moderate problems are uncommon and include

• Crying nonstop for 3 hours or more (1 in 1,000)
• Seizures (1 in 14,000)
• High fever greater than 105 degrees F (1 in 16,000)

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given is the most common side effect, occurring in about 20% of recipients.
About 1%-4% of vaccine recipients develop a very mild rash or several small bumps following chickenpox vaccination. The vaccine may cause a mild fever 2 weeks after vaccination. Seizure (jerking and staring spell) usually caused by fever may occur rarely.

There have been reports of increased local reactions to the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB); according to a report from the HSE Mid-Western Area. The BCG vaccine usually causes a hardened lesion that may ulcerate and occasionally discharge. Some children may feel a bit dizzy after the injection.

NOTHING TO BE SCARED:

Case study by Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Ctr., San Francisco, CA:

They found no evidence that Hepatitis B vaccination of newborns is associated with an increase in rates of febrile episodes, sepsis evaluations, allergic or neurological events. Hepatitis B vaccination of newborns does not appear to result in unnecessary and potentially dangerous diagnostic tests.

Journal of the American academy of pediatrics

According to official journal of the American academy of pediatrics at a combined joint study suggested that there was no increase in the incidence or severity of local reactions at the pneumococcal vaccine site with increasing doses of vaccine. Mild to moderate postvaccination fever was common, however DTaP (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) /Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine was administered concurrently and seemed to be acceptably safe and resulted in significant rises in antibody to all 7 serotypes.

Case study jointly done by University of Maryland, Baltimore, Scott and White Clinic, Texas A&M University, Temple (M.J.G.); University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (K.A.M., E.M.); and University of Washington, Seattle:

Vaccination of children in school is one strategy to reduce the spread of influenza in households and communities. In all, 47% of students in intervention schools received live attenuated influenza vaccine as compared with control-school households. Most outcomes related to influenza-like illness were significantly lower in intervention-school households than in control-school households.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Safety Datalink Working Group:

Study over 100,000 children, respectively shown that The administration of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and whole-cell pertussis (DTP) vaccine and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been associated with seizures. These findings are consistent with the timing of the onset of fever after vaccination with live attenuated measles virus. Simple febrile seizures were defined as short, generalized seizures, accompanied by documented fever or a parental report of fever. But these risks do not appear to be associated with any long-term, adverse consequences.

Should I Immunize If I have Fever or Sick?

Minor illnesses with or without fever should not prevent vaccination, especially in children with mild colds or respiratory allergies. In addition, people with chronic illnesses are at a higher risk for contracting the influenza virus and related complications. These individuals should be immunized annually and early in the flu season.

If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, it is usually a very mild case lasting only a few days and involving fewer skin lesions (usually less than 50, which may resemble bug bites more than typical, fluid-filled chickenpox blisters), mild or no fever, and a quicker recovery.

Handle with care. Some important tips before and after vaccination:

Experts warn that the vaccination programme should be continued unless it becomes clear that considerable numbers are at risk. Because the components of vaccines are weakened or killed — and in some cases, only parts of the microorganism are used — they're unlikely to cause any serious illness. Some vaccines may cause mild reactions, such as soreness where the shot was given or fever, but serious reactions are rare. Try to follow under the following:

• The risks of vaccinations are small compared with the health risks associated with the diseases they're intended to prevent.
• General treatment of these possible side effects includes:
• Give your child plenty of fluids.
• Avoid overdressing the child if he/she is hot.
• Treat the child with a cool (not cold) sponge or a bath if hot.
• Application of a cold, wet cloth at the sore spot helps to relieve some discomfort.
• These reactions are self-limited and can be managed with symptomatic treatment of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (dose according to weight) every 3 - 4 hours to lower temperature. Do not give more than 6 doses in 24 hours. Avoid aspirin!
• Cover the rash until all blisters have dried and crusted over, and avoid being with individuals who have not had chickenpox or have weakened immune systems.
• If a child has a moderate or severe current or recent fever-related illness, vaccinations should be postponed until after recovery. Colds or other mild respiratory infections are no cause for delay. Parents should not be unduly concerned if the interval between shots is longer than that recommended. The immunity from any previous vaccinations persists, and the doctor does not have to start a new series from scratch.
• If a vaccine recipient develops a rash within four weeks of administration, should be off work for 3 days following appearance of rash. Investigation into contacts will not be conducted.
• It is important that all 4 doses of the Typhoid vaccine be taken exactly as directed. It should be:
• taken at the correct times and approximately 1 hour before a meal. Inspect to make sure that they are not broken or cracked when you take them.
• stored between 2 and 8 °C (35.6 and 46.4 °F) at all times, unless it will lose its effectiveness.
• taken approximately 1 hour before a meal. Take with a cold or lukewarm drink that has a temperature that does not exceed body temperature, e.g., 37 °C (98.6 °F).
• If your child has a high fever or a severe illness, such as pneumonia, wait until his health improves before taking him in for the vaccine. He'll be better able to handle the immunization when he's healthy.

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