title: Military healthcare providers reporting of adverse events following immunizations to the vaccine adverse event reporting system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied military health care provider (HCP) practices regarding reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of HCP was surveyed to assess familiarity with Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), AEFI they were likely to report, methods used and preferred for reporting, and perceived barriers to reporting. We analyzed factors associated with HCP reporting AEFI to VAERS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 547 surveys were distributed with 487 completed and returned for an 89% response rate. The percentage of HCP aware of VAERS (54%) varied by occupation. 47% of respondents identified knowledge of at least one AEFI with only 34% of these indicating that they had ever reported to VAERS. More serious events were more likely to be reported. Factors associated with HCP reporting AEFIs in bivariate analysis included HCP familiarity with filing a paper VAERS report, HCP familiarity with filing an electronic VAERS report, HCP familiarity with VAERS, and time spent on immunization tasks. In a multivariable analysis, only HCP familiarity with filing a paper VAERS report was statistically significant (Odds ratio = 115.3; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific educational interventions targeted to military HCP likely to see AEFIs but not currently filing VAERS reports may improve vaccine safety reporting practices.
authors.affiliation: Immunization Safety Office, MS D-26, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
authors.forename: Rongxia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Immunization Safety Office, MS D-26, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.affiliation: Immunization Safety Office, MS D-26, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pickering
authors.affiliation: RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pemberton
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Centers Network, Military Vaccine Agency, U.S. Army Public Health Command, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD 20889-5600.
authors.forename: Laurie L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Centers Network, Military Vaccine Agency, U.S. Army Public Health Command, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD 20889-5600.
authors.forename: Limone C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Centers Network, Military Vaccine Agency, U.S. Army Public Health Command, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD 20889-5600.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Centers Network, Military Vaccine Agency, U.S. Army Public Health Command, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD 20889-5600.
authors.forename: Renata J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Engler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014612:Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines