Are vaccines safe?

All flu vaccines in Australia undergo rigorous testing before they can be made available to the public. Moreover, they are also monitored post-approval to ensure safety.

Vaccine testing

Vaccine testing is an integral part of developing safe and effective vaccines.

Vaccines in Australia must adhere to the stringent requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) before they are approved for widespread use. This involves significant, public clinical trials studying thousands of participants.

Vaccine ingredients

Vaccines can be comprised of different components depending on their purpose. They may contain the following:

• A dead or inactive form of a bacteria or virus
• A small part of a bacteria or the toxin it produces
• Preservatives
• Antibiotics that preserve the vaccine

Vaccine side effects

Some people may experience adverse effects after receiving a vaccination, but these typically do not last more than a day, and most people recover quickly on their own.

Common reactions may include the following:

• - Mild fever;
• - Redness, swelling and pain at the injection site.

More serious allergic reactions may happen, but these are very rare.

Anyone who experiences an unexpected reaction should seek medical help as soon as possible. We recommend that you speak to your GP regarding side effects and other concerns.