Vaccines

The BCG vaccine protects against severe forms of tuberculosis in children (TB meningitis and miliary TB). Common side effects are mild: a small sore at the injection site that heals into a scar over weeks.

The Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine protects against chickenpox. Common side effects are mild: sore arm, fever, mild rash.

The COVID-19 vaccine protects against severe COVID-19. Common side effects are mild: sore arm, tiredness, headache, fever for a day or two.

The Hepatitis A vaccine protects against hepatitis A infection from contaminated food or water. Common side effects are mild: sore arm, headache, tiredness.

The Hepatitis B vaccine protects against hepatitis B infection, which can cause liver cirrhosis and cancer. Common side effects are mild: soreness where the shot was given, mild fever.

The HPV vaccine protects against infections with human papillomavirus that cause cervical and other cancers. Common side effects are mild: sore arm, headache, fainting soon after the shot (sit for 15 minutes).

The Influenza (flu) vaccine protects against seasonal influenza. Common side effects are mild: sore arm, low fever, aches.

The Japanese encephalitis vaccine protects against japanese encephalitis, a brain infection spread by mosquitoes. Common side effects are mild: soreness, headache, mild fever.

The Measles-rubella vaccine (MR) protects against measles and rubella (and congenital rubella in babies). Common side effects are mild: fever and a mild rash 7 to 12 days later; sore arm.

The Pentavalent vaccine (DPT-HepB-Hib) protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and Hib infections. Common side effects are mild: fever, crying, soreness or swelling at the injection site.

The Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) protects against pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections caused by pneumococcus. Common side effects are mild: fever, fussiness, soreness.

The Polio vaccines (OPV and IPV) protects against polio, which can cause lifelong paralysis. Common side effects are mild: oPV drops rarely cause problems; IPV may cause soreness.

The Rabies vaccine protects against rabies after a bite or scratch from an infected animal (and before exposure for high-risk people). Common side effects are mild: sore arm, headache, nausea.

The Rotavirus vaccine protects against severe diarrhoea from rotavirus in infants. Common side effects are mild: mild fussiness or diarrhoea; very rarely intussusception (bowel blockage) in the week after.

The Td vaccine (tetanus and diphtheria) protects against tetanus and diphtheria; in pregnancy it protects newborns from tetanus. Common side effects are mild: sore, red or swollen arm; mild fever.

The Typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) protects against typhoid fever. Common side effects are mild: soreness, mild fever.