AusVaxSafety is an active national surveillance system of all vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which monitors adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) to detect possible vaccine safety signals. With funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, it commenced in 2014 and is led by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). The Victorian vaccine safety surveillance is coordinated by SAEFVIC, based at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).
AusVaxSafety monitors de-identified data using three software programs: SmartVax, Vaxtracker and NPS Medicine Insight. Information is gathered directly from patients or their carers via SMS or email. It is used across more than 350 sites including general practices, hospital- and community-based immunisation clinics, and Aboriginal medical services spread throughout all Australian states and territories.
All data is shared with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian Government Department of Health and the participating state health departments, all of whom have a shared responsibility for monitoring the safe use of vaccines.
Resources
Author: Annette Alafaci (SAEFVIC Research Assistant, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)
Reviewed by: Annette Alafaci (SAEFVIC Research Assistant, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) and Rachael McGuire (SAEFVIC Research Nurse, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)
Date: July 2020
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family’s personal health. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult a healthcare professional.