Evaluation of 'SAEFVIC', A Pharmacovigilance Surveillance Scheme for the Spontaneous Reporting of Adverse Events Following Immunisation in Victoria, Australia.
Australia is traditionally an early adopter of vaccines, therefore comprehensive and effective post-licensure vaccine pharmacovigilance is critical to maintain confidence in immunisation, both nationally and internationally. With adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) surveillance the responsibility of Australian jurisdictions, Victoria operates an enhanced passive AEFI surveillance system integrated with clinical services, called 'SAEFVIC' (Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community).



The aim of this study was to evaluate Victoria's current AEFI surveillance system 'SAEFVIC' and inform ongoing quality improvement of vaccine pharmacovigilance in Victoria and Australia.



We conducted a retrospective structured desktop evaluation of AEFI reporting received by SAEFVIC from 2007 to 2014, to evaluate the system according to its stated objectives, i.e. to improve AEFI reporting; provide AEFI signal detection; and to maintain consumer confidence in vaccination.



AEFI reporting has tripled since SAEFVIC commenced (incidence risk ratio [IRR] 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.35-3.93), raising Victoria to be the lead jurisdiction by AEFI reporting volume and to rank third by population reporting rate nationally. The largest increase was observed in children. Data were utilised to investigate potential signal events and inform vaccine policy. Signal detection required clinical suspicion by surveillance nurses, or prior vaccine-specific concerns. Subsequent vaccination post-AEFI was documented for 56.2% (95% CI 54.1-58.4) of reports, and the proportion of children due or overdue for vaccination was 2.3% higher for those reporting AEFI compared with the general population.



SAEFVIC has improved AEFI surveillance, facilitates signal investigation and validation, and supports consumer confidence in immunisation. Expansion of the system nationally has the potential to improve capacity and capability of vaccine pharmacovigilance, particularly through data consistency and jurisdictional comparability in Australia.
SAEFVIC, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. hazel.clothier@mcri.edu.au.|School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. hazel.clothier@mcri.edu.au.
Hazel J
HJ
Clothier
SAEFVIC, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.|Immunisation Service, General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Nigel W
NW
Crawford
School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Melissa
M
Russell
National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Heath
H
Kelly
SAEFVIC, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.|Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.|Infection and Immunity, Monash Children's Hospital and Monash Immunisation, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
Jim P
JP
Buttery
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D060735:Pharmacovigilance; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D014612:Vaccines