Immunisation

Page contents: SAEFVIC |How do I report AEFI in Victoria? | What will SAEFVIC provide? | What is an AEFI? | Should all AEFI be reported? | What is SAEFVIC? | How will the new clinical feedback system work? | How can I refer a patient to an adult or children's Specialist Immunisation Clinic? | Do I still have to report a significant AEFI to ASCOM? | Why is it important to collect information about AEFI? | Download factsheet

SAEFVIC

In Victoria adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) should be notified to SAEFVIC – the Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community.

This specialist service helps immunisation providers manage patients who have had an AEFI. It is for all immunisation adverse events in both children and adults.

How do I report AEFI in Victoria?

Please report an AEFI at any time (24 hours and 7 days a week) by:

Online report via: www.saefvic.org.au

Telephone:
1300 882 924 between 10am and 3.30pm. All other times, please leave contact details on the answering machine and the SAEFVIC nurses will return your call as soon as possible.

Fax or post:

Fax: 03 9345 4163 (24 hours)

Post:
SAEFVIC, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
c/- Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Rd
Parkville Vic 3052

What does SAEFVIC provide?

• Clinical support to patients and immunisation providers
• Information to immunisation providers about AEFI in their patients
• Specialised immunisation clinics for children and adults with a history of a significant AEFI
• Maximised immunisation coverage and therefore improved control of vaccine-preventable diseases
• Improved knowledge of AEFI by systematic surveillance
• Improved levels of reporting of AEFIs to ADRAC. All the significant and unexpected adverse events following immunisation that meet the current case definitions for AEFI, will automatically be reported to ADRAC by SAEFVIC.

What is an AEFI?

The international definition of an AEFI is 'an unwanted or unexpected event following the administration of a vaccine(s). AEFI may be caused by a vaccine(s) or may occur by coincidence (i.e. it would have occurred regardless of vaccination)'. AEFIs also include conditions that may occur following the incorrect handling and/or administration of a vaccine(s).

Should all AEFI be reported?

Report all immunisation adverse events in both children and adults to SAFEVIC.

What is SAEFVIC?

SAEFVIC is for the Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community. It is part of the Victorian Immunisation Program. It is based at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute located at the Royal Children's Hospital in Parkville. This specialist service helps providers to encourage full immunisation of children and adults who have experienced a significant AEFI.

How will the new clinical feedback system work?

Rapid feedback to patients and immunisation service providers who report significant AEFI is an important part of this service. After reporting a possible AEFI to the SAEFVIC Unit feedback, you will receive advice to assist in deciding how to clinically manage future immunisation for the patient.

You can decide how you want to get that feedback when you complete the SAEFVIC reporting form (see How do I report AEFI in Victoria).

How can I refer a patient to an adult or children's specialist immunisation clinic?

Although there are some adverse events which contraindicate further vaccine doses, for many others revaccination is possible. The specialised clinical services are available for children or adults following significant AEFI that you believe need further vaccinations under supervision or who would benefit from further discussions.

SAEFVIC will offer individualised assessment on the suspected adverse event and outline options regarding future vaccinations. Following some adverse reactions it may be recommended that subsequent vaccinations be administered under medical supervision at one of the hospital-based clinics (as an out-patient or occasionally, as an in-patient).

The immunisation clinics are located at the Royal Children's Hospital (for infants and children), the Monash Medical Centre (for children and adults) and the Royal Melbourne Hospital (for adults). SAEFVIC will send you information about these clinics when you report a significant AEFI.

Do I still have to report a significant AEFI to ACSOM (the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Medicines)?

No. You only need to report to the SAEFVIC Unit. The SAEFVIC Unit will report the AEFI to ACSOM.

If an AEFI report is sent to both SAEFVIC and to ADRAC, do not worry as this will be managed through the SAEFVIC computer system.

Why is it important to collect information about AEFI?

The public health aim for SAEFVIC surveillance is the early detection, and appropriate and quick response to AEFI to lessen the negative impact upon the health of the individuals and the immunisation program. It is important to provide individualised support to patients and their immunisation providers when reporting an AEFI.

The clinical back-up provided by SAEFVIC will increase the confidence of patients and their immunisation providers, to continue the immunisation schedule, even if they have experienced an AEFI.

Download fact sheet