Reporting vaccine-associated adverse events.
OBJECTIVE
To determine family physicians' awareness of the need to monitor and report vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAE) in Canada and to identify mechanisms that could facilitate reporting.


METHODS
Mailed survey.


METHODS
Canadian family practices.


METHODS
Random sample of 747 family physicians. Overall response rate was 32% (226 of 717 eligible physicians).


METHODS
Access to education on VAAE; knowledge about VAAE monitoring systems, reporting criteria, and reporting forms; method of reporting VAAEs and reasons for not reporting them; and current experience with VAAEs.


RESULTS
Of 226 respondents, 55% reported observing VAAEs, and 42% reported the event. Fewer than 50% were aware of a monitoring system for VAAE, and only 39% had had VAAE-related education during medical training. Only 28% knew the reporting criteria. Reporting was significantly associated with knowledge of VAAE monitoring systems and reporting criteria (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians need more feedback and education on VAAE reporting and more information about the importance of reporting and about reporting criteria and methods.
Duclos
P
P
Division of Immunization, Bureau of Infectious Diseases, Health Canada's Laboratory Centre for Disease Control (LCDC), Ottawa.
Hockin
J
J
Pless
R
R
Lawlor
B
B
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002170:Canada; D004282:Documentation; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014612:Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014612:Vaccines