Childhood immunisations – vaccine safety

Childhood immunisation is a safe and effective way to protect children against serious disease. Vaccines go through many stages of development and testing. Australian Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan explains how vaccine safety is ensured.

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Alison McMillan

Hello, I’m Alison McMillan, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

Parents and carers want to know that childhood immunisations are safe, and sometimes have questions about how vaccine safety is assessed.

We’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the safety of childhood immunisation in this video.

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How are vaccines tested?

Alison McMillan:

In Australia, all vaccines go through rigorous testing to ensure they are safe and effective before approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or TGA. This includes various stages of clinical trials and testing of ingredients. 

Vaccines that don’t meet the quality and safety criteria do not get approved and aren’t available for use.

After vaccines are given to people, their safety continues to be checked.

You can find out more information on vaccine safety via the Department of Health and Aged Care website at health.gov.au/immunisation

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What are the side effects of vaccination?

Alison McMillan:

Side effects are mild and generally last for a few days.

These can include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fever, children may appear unsettled. But these side effects are common, and serious or long-lasting side effects such as severe allergic reactions are very rare. Speak with your health professional or health service if you’re at all worried about your child’s condition after a vaccination.

But remember, by vaccinating your child, you’re giving them the best possible protection against serious illnesses.

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What ingredients are in the vaccines?

Alison McMillan:

Vaccines contain several ingredients including an antigen, which is a modified form of the virus, bacteria or toxin that causes the disease.

Because these vaccines contain either an inactive or weakened antigen of the disease they are targeting, then the vaccines cannot give you the disease. 

For example, the flu vaccine can’t give you influenza because the vaccine contains an inactive version of the flu virus.

Other ingredients such as adjuvants, preservatives and stabilisers ensure the vaccines are safe and effective.

Vaccine ingredients can look unfamiliar if you read the list on the label. However, many of the components used in vaccines occur naturally in the body, environment and foods we eat.

All of the ingredients in vaccines, and the vaccines themselves, as I’ve said, are thoroughly tested and monitored to ensure their safety.

You can find more information on vaccine ingredients on the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Australian Academy of Science websites.

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health.gov.au/childhoodimmunisation, skai.org.au/childhood, science.org.au/immunisation

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