Common vaccine side effects are usually mild and do not have any long-term side effects. The general health of the child is an important consideration in vaccine risk as well as any earlier allergic reactions. If the child has had any allergies or other underlying health conditions, or has had an illness before a scheduled vaccination, a parent should consult with their child’s pediatrician to assess whether there is an increased risk of common vaccine side effects or even more serious side effects.

Below is a summary of the CDC and the FDA descriptions of common vaccine side effects in children.

DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis):

• Fever
• Redness, swelling, pain, soreness and tenderness at the injection site
• Fuzziness
• Tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Poor appetite
• Irritability
• Headache
• Chills
• Body aches
• Sore joints
• Swollen glands
• Rash
• Young children who receive the Flu, Dtap, and or PCV13 vaccines at the same time have a greater risk of having a seizure if they have a fever side effect.

Td:

• Redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site
• Fever

Tdap:

• Fever
• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea

Influenza:

• Sore, red, or swollen arm at the injection site
• Cough
• Runny nose and nasal congestion
• Wheezing
• Muscle Aches
• Hoarseness
• Sore, red or itchy eyes
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Young children who receive the Flu, Dtap, and or PCV13 vaccines at the same time have a greater risk of having a seizure if they have a fever side effect.

Hepatitis A:

• Soreness or redness at the injection site
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Poor Appetite

Hepatitis B:

• Soreness at the injection site
• Fever

HPV–Gardasil-9:

• Pain, swelling, soreness or redness at the injection site
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain

Meningococcal ACWY:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Sore arm
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Fever

MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella):

• Redness or rash at the injection site
• Sore arm
• Fever
• Mild rash
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Swelling of glands in the neck or cheeks

MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella):

• Redness or rash at the injection site
• Sore arm
• Fever
• Swelling of glands in the neck or cheeks

PPSV23 (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide):

• Muscle aches
• Redness or pain at the injection site
• Fever

PCV13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate):

• Drowsiness
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site
• Fussiness or irritability
• Young children who receive the Flu, Dtap, and or PCV13 vaccines at the same time have a greater risk of having a seizure if they have a fever side effect.

Rotavirus:

• Irritability
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Varicella (Chickenpox):

• Redness or rash at the injection site
• Sore arm from the injection
• Fever
• Joint pain and stiffness

Pilot Study of Vaccinated Vs. Unvaccinated Children:

An independent pilot research study was published by the “Journal of Translational Science” in 2017. The study that covered four states compared certain health conditions of non-vaccinated children with vaccinated children. There were 666 homeschooled children in the study who were six to twelve years old. Their study revealed a higher rate of conditions such as allergies, eczema, some chronic illnesses, learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). More work needs to be done, but this study suggests that those conditions may be more common than previously thought and perhaps will in time be added to the list of common vaccine side effects in children.