Taking a Hepatitis B vaccine is very safe for most children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some side effects are possible, however. Doctors give the vaccine in a series of three shots, starting between birth and 2 months of age to prevent severe liver disease. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reports that about 5,000 people per year die of hepatitis in the United States.
Site Inflammation
People who receive Hepatitis B vaccines most commonly show problems at the site of the injection. The Immunization Action Coalition states the Hepatitis B vaccine may cause redness at the injection site as well as pain and swelling. This happens to fewer than 1 out of every 3 children who receive the vaccine.
Fatigue
Next to site irritation, the most common reaction to the Hepatitis B vaccine is fatigue. Drugs.com states that along with fatigue, recipients of the vaccine may experience dizziness, tiredness, weakness and a general feeling of discomfort. All these side effects should be mild and short lived, however, with no long-lasting symptoms.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Those receiving Hepatitis B vaccine may reflect flu-like symptoms. Patients have reported a mild fever, aches and nausea as side effects according to Drugs.com. Other flu-like symptoms include a cough, upper respiratory infection symptoms, chills, sweating, flushing and lightheadedness. Patients also have reported tinnitus, earaches and asthma-like symptoms.
Anaphylaxis
The possibility of anaphylactic shock occurs rarely with the Hepatitis B vaccine. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia states only about one in 600,000 children react to the shot with this extreme allergic reaction, but it is serious and could be life-threatening. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include facial swelling, difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure. Since the symptoms appear within minutes of receiving the vaccine, the doctor administering the shot should be available to take immediate steps to counteract any extreme allergic reaction.
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