Can immunization shots make you sick?

When you get an immunization shot don't they inject a mild version of the virus or something into you, making you a little sick, so that you can build the right antibodies to fight off the disease?

I got my Hepatitis A, Tetnis, and Meningitis immunizations yesterday, and I've been feeling slightly nauseaus today. Is that normal?

That's right. They inject an attenuated (that means weakened)version of the virus so that your immune system can identify it and remember how to attack it later on in case you encounter it again. There is a slight chance that you will get sick from the virus. In fact some diseases are rarely vaccinated against anymore these days, such as the virus that causes polio. You are statistically more likely to get polio from the vaccine than you are to catch it in everyday life, so they've completely stopped it in most places. Once your odds of catching go back up, people will get the vaccine again.

Youre correct. When I worked in the prison system we all had to have the Hepatitis-B vaccination. The first injection made me have flu-like symptoms for a couple of days.

Mark

Yeah that's sorta what they do. Some of the vaccines used killed products of a virus or bacteria, like their membrane or envelope. Other vaccines use live, attenuated parts, which can make you sick and those are contraindicated in pregnant women. Rabies, Influenza and Hepatitis A are killed and will not make you sick, Others like Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella and a whole other bunch are live. If you are getting sick from a killed vaccine then you might be developing an immune reaction and should see your doctor, if the symptoms persist for a while.

Yes they can. Some people get the flu FROM the flu shot (granted it is milder than the full blown flu)