Vaccine safety

Immunization is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools to prevent, control and manage vaccine preventable diseases. 

Publicly funded vaccines are available to residents of New Brunswick based on the eligibility as outlined in the New Brunswick Immunization Schedule. This schedule outlines the routine immunizations recommended for infants, children, adolescents and adults.

Parents of adolescents who are not enrolled in a public school in New Brunswick are encouraged to call their local Public Health office located within their regional health authority to ensure their child’s immunizations are up to date.

In Canada, vaccines are among the most regulated medical products. Each vaccine must meet strict standards for safety and effectiveness before it becomes available to the public. 

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides expert guidance on how vaccines should be used across the country. Its members are independent specialists in fields such as infectious diseases, immunization, immunology, epidemiology and public health. They continually assess the latest scientific evidence to review both newly developed vaccines and those already in routine use.

As with any medical procedure, immunization has some risks. Individuals may react differently to vaccines. When considering immunization, both the risks and the benefits should be discussed with a qualified health-care provider. The risks of vaccine preventable diseases are many times greater than the risks of a serious vaccine side effect.

Most people tolerate vaccines well but it’s common to have temporary side effects. These usually last from a few hours to a few days after vaccination and go away on their own. This is the body's natural response as it builds immunity against the disease. 

Common vaccine side effects may include:

• mild fever
• redness, swelling or soreness at injection site
• tiredness
• headache
• muscles aches

See individual vaccine pages for other reactions specific to vaccines.

Stress-related reactions can make people uncomfortable or afraid of vaccinations, which in turn can be a barrier to future vaccination.

A small number of people who are very anxious about vaccines may:

• turn pale
• sweat
• feel lightheaded or dizzy
• feel numbness or tingling
• breathe very quickly
• lose sensation in the face, hands or feet

These symptoms can lead to fainting during or shortly after receiving a vaccine. Fainting is usually triggered by pain or anxiety. Sometimes when people faint, their bodies make jerking movements. These movements are sometimes confused with seizures but are not actual seizures. Fainting itself is generally not serious, but harm can occur from falls.

Let a health-care provider know if you have a fear of needles or a history of fainting. You may be able to receive your vaccine lying down.

Some known rare events include anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) which can occur in about one in every one million doses of vaccine given. It usually happens shortly after a person receives the vaccine and is treatable.

Your health-care provider is prepared to treat this reaction if it happens. This is why staying at the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine is important so they can watch for abnormal or very rare reactions and treat them quickly. Vaccination sites have a supply of epinephrine to use in case you have an allergic reaction.

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• itchy rash
• swelling of face, lips, tongue or airway
• increased heart rate
• loss of consciousness
• abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea
• sneezing, coughing and difficulty breathing

If you experience any of these symptoms at the vaccination site, report it to the immunization provider immediately. 

If you or your child experiences unusual reactions to the vaccine or you have any questions or concerns, please contact your primary care provider, pharmacy, Public Health office or Tele-Care (811). 

Call emergency services (911) right away if you have left the vaccination site and develop serious symptoms that could be an allergic reaction.

Vaccination records for people aged 16 and older are available by registering online at MyHealthNB. To access your immunization record, please register or sign in to your account.

The paper record of immunization provided when vaccinated will continue to be the official record. Keep your immunization record in a safe place.

If the information on your record is incorrect or you received immunizations outside of New Brunswick and want them added, send an email to [email protected].

Immunizations administered prior to 1991 may not be readily accessible in MyHealthNB.  If your vaccination record is not available at MyHealthNB, contact the place you received your vaccines.