Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunisation

Modern vaccines are extremely safe and effective. Benefits and risks are associated with the use of all immunobiologics—no vaccine is completely effective or completely free of side effects. Adverse events following immunisation have been reported with all vaccines, ranging from frequent, minor, local reactions to extremely rare, severe, systemic illness such as that associated with yellow fever vaccine. Information on side effects and adverse events following specific vaccines and toxoids are discussed in detail in each ACIP statement. Health-care providers are required by law to report selected adverse events occurring after vaccination with tetanus vaccine in any combination, pertussis in any combination, measles and rubella alone or in any combination, OPV, IPV, hepatitis B, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b (conjugate), pneumococcal conjugate, and yellow fever vaccines. Reportable events are generally those requiring the recipient to seek medical attention and are stated on the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System web site. VAERS is a cooperative programme for vaccine safety of the CDC and the FDA. Information about vaccine safety and reporting may be found on their homepage.