Though generally very rare or minor, there are side effects, or “adverse effects,” associated with some vaccines. This report provides an analysis of more than 1,000 research articles that were reviewed to assess the risk of specific adverse events associated with eight vaccines—varicella zoster, influenza (except 2009 H1N1), hepatitis B, HPV, MMR, hepatitis A, meningococcal, and those that contain tetanus. Overall, the researchers concluded that few health problems are caused by or clearly associated with vaccines.

Author(s): Institute of Medicine

Published: 2011

Resource types: Report

Diseases: Hepatitis B; Meningococcus; Influenza

Topics: Vaccine safety; Disease/vaccine specific information

Regions: North America and Europe