AEFI-CAN (Adverse Events Following Immunisation – Clinical Assessment Network) is a formal collaboration between Australian state and territory-based vaccine safety clinics and their adult and paediatric immunisation/infectious diseases/allergy specialists. It also includes representatives from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), most state/territory health departments and the immunisation branch of the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH).

As a national network, AEFI-CAN works collaboratively to clinically assess and manage individual patients following serious or unexpected adverse events after immunisation. The network is also involved in:

  • developing a consistent robust national approach to serious and/or severe AEFI with the creation of standardised protocols
  • standardising AEFI and clinical follow up reporting
  • enhancing community and health/vaccine provider knowledge and practice about AEFI
  • providing expert advice to health professionals as required.

AEFI-CAN bridges the important link between surveillance and clinical assessment and management. As such, AEFI-CAN assists in determining patient outcomes and supports investigation of possible safety signals in a real-time integrated way.

Authors: Adele Harris (SAEFVIC Research Nurse, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) and Annette Alafaci (SAEFVIC Research Assistant, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)

Reviewed by: Annette Alafaci (SAEFVIC Research Assistant, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)

Date: December 2020

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