How safe is the conjugate vaccine?
All medicines and vaccines are routinely monitored for safety following their introduction. The safety profile of the conjugate vaccine has been demonstrated in clinical trials in the US and across Europe. There were almost 40,000 children involved in these trials and all the results showed that the conjugate vaccine is well tolerated7,9,12. The most common side effects observed were local injection site reactions such as redness and swelling. These were reported as being mild and transient9. The safety profile of the conjugate vaccine is confirmed by experience in the United States9. The conjugate vaccine is recommended for all American children under 2 years of age and, in addition, to other children up to the age of 5 years considered to be at increased risk. The conjugate vaccine does not contain thiomersal or any other mercury-based preservative.
