Normal Reactions: General |
 |
A
normal primary vaccination reaction appears as a papule in
3-4 days, and rapidly progresses to a vesicle with surrounding
erythema by the 5th-6th day. The vesicle center becomes depressed
and progresses to a well-formed pustule by the 8th-9th day.
By the twelfth day, or soon thereafter, the pustule crusts
over forming a brown scab, which progresses from the center
of the pustule to the periphery. After 2.5 to 3 weeks, the
scab detaches and a well formed scar remains.
Normal Reaction Time
|
|
|
Day |
Description |
 |
|
0 |
Vaccination |
 |
|
3-4 |
Papule |
|
|
5-6 |
Vesicle with surrounding erythema →
vesicle with depressed center |
|
|
8-9 |
Well-formed pustule |
|
|
12+ |
Pustule crusts over → scab
|
|
|
17-21 |
Scab detaches revealing scar |
|
Rarely, in some previously unvaccinated persons, seemingly
appropriate vaccination techniques may result in no reaction.
One should assume that the individual is NOT immune and repeat
attempts should be made to achieve a primary take. At least
three attempts should be made, switching skin sites after
a second unsuccessful attempt.
Systemic symptoms: Systemic symptoms are
expected and usually occur about a week after vaccination.
These include:
|
|
• |
Fever |
ï |
Malaise
|
ï |
Myalgia
|
ï |
Soreness at the vaccination site
|
ï |
Local lymphadenopathy
|
ï |
Intense erythema ringing the vaccination site
|
|
The occurence of these normal
reactions varies considerably from study to study. The following
provides an indication of the range: |
|
|
Lymphadenopathy
|
25.0 - 50.0 %
|
|
|
|
Headache, muscle aches, chills, nausea and
fatigue
|
0.3 - 37.0 %
|
|
|
|
Fever > 37.7æC in the first 2 weeks after
vaccination
|
2.0 - 16.0 %
|
|
|
|
Satellite lesions
|
2.4 - 6.6 %
|
|
|
 |
|
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