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Are combination vaccines safe?

Question: 

Are combination vaccines safe?

Answer: 
Yes, combination vaccines are safe.
 
  • Combination vaccines take two or more vaccines that could be given by themselves and put them into a single injection so that children can get protection against several diseases with just one shot.
  • The diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib) vaccineand measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine are examples of combination vaccines.
  • Before a new combination vaccine is approved, it must be shown to be as effective as each vaccine given separately. 
  • The side effects of combination vaccines are similar to those of the individual vaccines given separately.
  • Most of the vaccines available in combinations are not available separately. If one component of a vaccine is declined, all other components are also declined. For instance, refusing the measles vaccine means that a child cannot be vaccinated against rubella and mumps, either, because the measles vaccine in Canada is only available in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines.
Date last reviewed: 
Monday, Jan 31, 2022