This information tells you about the common side effects of immunisations that might occur in young people from 12 to 18 years of age.
This information is to be used as a guide only. You should always seek advice from your GP or Health Visitor if you’re worried.
The most common side effects are at the site where the injection was given. These include:
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you don’t need to do anything about them. If you’re still not happy with your child’s reaction to any immunisation, speak to your practice nurse or GP.
Mild side effects of the HPV immunisation can include:
Mild side effects of the DTP immunisation can include:
How to treat a fever in children
MMR is made up of 3 different vaccines (measles, mumps and rubella) which can cause reactions at different times after the injection.
After 6 to 10 days the measles vaccine starts to work and may cause a:
At around 2 to 3 weeks after the injection the mumps vaccine may cause mumps-like symptoms (fever and swollen glands).
Most commonly around 12 to 14 days after the injection, the rubella vaccine may cause a brief rash and possibly a slightly raised temperature. On rare occasions, a rash may also occur up to 6 weeks later.
You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme.
This can be done by:
Public Health Scotland is a proud member of the Vaccine Safety Net and partners with NHS inform to provide reliable information on vaccine safety.
The Vaccine Safety Net is a global network of websites, evaluated by the World Health Organization, that provides reliable information on vaccine safety.
More about the Vaccine Safety Net
More information on vaccines for young people can be found in these leaflets, available in multiple languages and formats:
Last updated:
28 November 2023