Adverse events following immunisation (AEFI): Optimising passive surveillance to improve immunisation safety in Victoria

Abstract

Vaccines are a cornerstone of public health saving millions of lives each year, however, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are a reality. Comprehensive post-licensure vaccine safety surveillance is therefore essential to maintain confidence in immunisation, inform policy and ensure the ongoing safety of immunisation programs. Vaccine pharmacovigilance in Australia has been criticised and found inadequate due to its inability to inform on vaccine safety events in a timely manner. In 2010 this meant failure to prevent serious neurological sequalae arising from increased febrile reactions with one particular brand of influenza vaccine. Subsequent expert reviews of Australian AEFI su..