Vaccine Safety

November 5, 2009, 6:30 PM ET

The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines are expected to have similar safety profiles as seasonal flu vaccines, which have very good safety track records. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. The most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be closely monitoring for any signs that the vaccine is causing unexpected adverse events and we will work with state and local health officials to investigate any unusual events.

General Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers on Thimerosal

Questions and Answers on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)

Fact Sheet on Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)

Questions and Answers about Adjuvants

Vaccine Monitoring

How Vaccines are Tested and Monitored

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)

Summary of 2009 Monovalent H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Data --- VAERS

VAERS Information for Healthcare Professionals

Reporting Adverse Events to VAERS

Template Letter for Healthcare Providers about the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)