There are a lot of misconceptions about the safety of vaccines. Some doctors and politicians go as far to say that there is absolutely no risk of vaccine injury. The reality is that, like all drugs, vaccines can be dangerous. Vaccines are linked to a wide variety of injuries from skin rash to death.
Even the government recognizes at least there are at least a few injuries associated with vaccination. The government publishes a vaccine injury table that provides a recognized vaccine injuries.
Vaccine Injury Table
Vaccines that contain tetanus toxoid (e.g. DTap, DTP, DT, Td, or TT)
Tetanus containing vaccines can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) within the first 4 hours after receiving the vaccine. This severe allergic reaction usually starts with itchy eyes and face, which can progress to more serious problems such as trouble breathing and stomach pain.
Tetanus containing vaccines can cause confusion, trouble thinking, and brain damage within 72 hours after receiving the vaccine. Encephalopathy is a catch-all term for conditions that alter your mental state and can cause brain damage.
Vaccines containing whole cell pertussis bacteria, extracted or partial cell pertussis bacteria, or specific pertussis antigen(s) (e.g. DTP, DTaP, P, DTP-Hib)
Like tetanus containing vaccines, pertussis containing vaccines can also cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) within the first 4 hours after receiving the vaccine. Remember that is a condition that causes itching eyes and face, and can lead to problems with breathing and stomach pain.
Pertussis containing vaccines can also cause an inflammation of the nerves in your shoulder and arm called Brachial Neuritis. Brachial Neuritis can be extremely painful and usually appears after between 2-28 days after receiving the vaccine.
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (e.g. MMR, MR, M, R)
The measles and rubella vaccine has a small chance of causing a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) within the first 4 hours after receiving the vaccine.
The measles vaccine also has a chance of causing encephalopathy like tetanus toxoid vaccines. However with the measles vaccine symptoms of encephalopathy usually appear within 5-15 days after receiving the vaccine.
Vaccines containing rubella virus (e.g. MMR, MR, R)
Vaccines that contain the rubella virus can cause chronic arthritis between 7 and 42 days after receiving the vaccine. Arthritis is a catch all term for painful joints that typically happens in hands, knees, and arms.
Vaccines containing measles virus (e.g. MMR, MR, M)
Vaccines that contain the measles virus can lead to a condition that destroys the ability of the body to stop bleeding. The body destroys platelet cells that form clots (thrombocytopenic purpura). Thrombocytopenic purpura causes unusual bleeding and bruising. Thrombocytopenic purpura typically starts between 7 and 30 days after receiving the vaccine.
You also run the risk of getting a vaccine-strain measles infection from the measles vaccine within 6 months after the injection. Since the measles vaccine contains live measles virus there is a risk that you can get measles.
Vaccines containing polio live virus (OPV)
The polio vaccine, like the measles vaccine, contains live polio virus. There is a risk of developing paralytic polio within 6 months after receiving the vaccine.
Paralytic polio is a very serious disease that can lead to muscle weakness, a loss of reflexes, and a sort of paralysis that causes one side of your body to go numb.
Vaccines containing polio inactivated virus (IPV)
The polio vaccine that contains inactivated virus can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) within 4 hours after receiving the vaccine.
Hepatitis B vaccine
The Hepatitis B vaccine can also cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) within 4 hours after receiving the vaccine.
Hemophilus influenzae type b
The government’s vaccine injury table does not recognize any injury associated with the Hemophilius Influenza type B vaccine.
Varicella vaccine
The vaccine injury table does not recognize any injury associated with the varicella vaccine.
However, there are reports of varicella, meningitis, and encephalitis caused by the vaccine strain varicella virus.
Rotavirus vaccine
The Rotavirus vaccine can cause serious injury to the intestines called intussusception between 1 to 21 days after receiving the vaccine.
Intussusception occurs when part of the intestine slides into a different part of the intestine. This can cause food and fluids to not pass through the intestines properly. It also cuts off the blood supply to the intestine and can do serious damage, including tearing the intestine and causing part of your intestine tissue to die.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
The vaccine injury table does not recognize any injury associated with the pneumococcal vaccine.
Hepatitis A vaccine
The vaccine injury table does not recognize any injury associated with the Hepatitis A vaccine.
Trivalent influenza vaccine
The vaccine injury table does not recognize any injury associated with the flu vaccine.
However, there are reports of Guillian-Barre (GBS), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), narcolepsy, and transverse myelitis caused by the flu vaccine.
Meningococcal vaccine
The vaccine injury table does not recognize any injury associated with the meningococcal vaccine.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
The vaccine injury table does not recognize any injury associated with the HPV vaccine.
