Reporting adverse events after immunisation
An adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) is an unwanted or unexpected event following immunisation. It may:
- be related to the vaccine itself
- be related to its handling or administration, or
- may occur by coincidence, regardless of the vaccine.
Informing patients about common side effects
Inform your patients about common side effects of vaccinations and how to treat them.
Patients with an egg allergy
People with egg allergy, including anaphylaxis, can safely receive mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) and influenza vaccine in any setting.
Reporting adverse events after immunisation
Severe side effects from vaccines are rare. Common side effects are usually mild and short-lasting.
In the ACT, adverse events following immunisation are notifiable by health professionals under the ACT Public Health Act 1997: Public Health (Reporting of Notifiable Conditions) Code of Practice 2017 (No 1).
How to report events
In the ACT, report adverse events to the ACT Health Public Health Response Unit.
Report adverse events using the online form
Or call 02 5124 9213 during business hours.
Vaccine administration error
Vaccine administration errors can occur when a vaccine is incorrectly stored, prepared, or administered outside the current clinical guidelines. Vaccine administration errors have the potential to result in an AEFI.
Vaccine administration errors should be reported to the ACT Health Public Health Response Unit.
Report administration errors using the online form
National reporting
The Public Health Response Unit reports all adverse event notifications to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Reports to the TGA can be found in the Database of Adverse Event Notifications (DAEN).
Australia-wide annual reports on adverse events surveillance are published by the Australian Government.
Requests for immunisation referral
If a child has experienced a serious adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) and may need their next vaccinations administered under medical supervision (with observation following vaccination), referrals should be sent via HealthLink processes to Paediatric Outpatients.
Referrals will be regularly triaged and actioned directly to paediatric day stay unit as appropriate.
Please ensure that the referral includes details of the AEFI, and vaccines requested to be administered under medical supervision.