title: Vaxtracker: Active on-line surveillance for adverse events following inactivated influenza vaccine in children.
abstract: Vaxtracker is a web based survey for active post marketing surveillance of Adverse Events Following Immunisation. It is designed to efficiently monitor vaccine safety of new vaccines by early signal detection of serious adverse events. The Vaxtracker system automates contact with the parents or carers of immunised children by email and/or sms message to their smart phone. A hyperlink on the email and text messages links to a web based survey exploring adverse events following the immunisation. The Vaxtracker concept was developed during 2011 (n=21), and piloted during the 2012 (n=200) and 2013 (n=477) influenza seasons for children receiving inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) in the Hunter New England Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia. Survey results were reviewed by surveillance staff to detect any safety signals and compare adverse event frequencies among the different influenza vaccines administered. In 2012, 57% (n=113) of the 200 participants responded to the online survey and 61% (290/477) in 2013. Vaxtracker appears to be an effective method for actively monitoring adverse events following influenza vaccination in children.
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia. Electronic address: Patrick.Cashman@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Cashman
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia. Electronic address: sarah.moberley@gmail.com.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Moberley
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia. Electronic address: Craig.Dalton@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Dalton
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia. Electronic address: Jody.Stephenson@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
authors: Jody
authors: J
authors: Stephenson
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia. Electronic address: Elissa.Elvidge@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
authors: Elissa
authors: E
authors: Elvidge
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia. Electronic address: Michelle.Butler@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Butler
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, 1 Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Electronic address: David.Durrheim@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
authors: David N
authors: DN
authors: Durrheim
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D040421:Cell Phone; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000379:methods*; D060145:Text Messaging
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Active surveillance; Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI); Influenza vaccine; Online survey; Post marketing surveillance; Vaccine safety