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Can vaccines cause side effects?
Question:
Can vaccines cause side effects?
Answer:
Yes. Like any medication or supplement (including vitamins), vaccines can cause side effects.
- Vaccine side effects are usually minor, such as a sore arm or mild fever, and go away within a few days.
- Many people have no side effects at all.
- Serious side effects are very rare.
- The risks from the diseases that vaccines prevent are much greater than the risk of vaccine side effects.
You can find general information on vaccine side effects:
- On our vaccine side effects page.
You can find information on side effects of specific vaccines in:
- The vaccine HealthLinkBC Files, which are linked to in BC’s routine immunization schedules.
- Our Vaccines by Disease section.
- The Canadian Immunization Guide’s active vaccines sections.
Date last reviewed:
Monday, Jan 31, 2022