How is Vaccine Safety Surveillance Conducted?

Vaccine safety surveillance involves multiple methods and systems to collect and analyze data on adverse events post-vaccination. Key components include:

Passive Surveillance: This involves spontaneous reporting systems where healthcare providers and the public can report adverse events. Examples include the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) in the United States.
Active Surveillance: This approach involves proactive monitoring through predefined studies. Examples include the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and the Post-Licensure Rapid Immunization Safety Monitoring (PRISM) system.
Clinical Trials: Post-marketing clinical trials (Phase IV) continue to monitor vaccine safety and efficacy.
Electronic Health Records (EHR): Leveraging EHR systems to track and analyze health data related to vaccinations.