Update on side effects from common vaccines

Abstract

Vaccines have had a tremendous impact on public health by reducing morbidity and mortality from a variety of virulent pathogens. However, unintended side effects continue to pose a potential risk that may outweigh the vaccine’s protective attributes. In this review, we discuss recent articles and controversies pertaining to vaccineassociated adverse events. Included in the discussion are influenza, hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheriatetanus-pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and rotavirus vaccines. The importance and contribution of vaccine constituents (such as thimerosal) to side effects is also reviewed.