Evaluatıon of adverse events following immunization reported during national immunization programs (Between 2017-2019 in Ankara Province)

• Published in: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
• Main Authors: A. Çigdem Simsek, Elif Arabulan, Nilufer Tavukçu, Sertaç Çankaya, Belgin Gulhan, Aslinur Ozkaya-Parlakay
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-07-01
• Subjects: expanded program on immunization; vaccine adverse events; vaccine
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2020.1859316
• ISSN: 2164-5515; 2164-554X

Vaccination services are important in primary health-care service. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) began in 1981 in Turkey. Vaccines are generally safe products; although rare, undesirable effects may be observed after vaccination. In order to increase vaccination rates, vaccine acceptability and service quality; the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and performing necessary interventions are indispensable parts of vaccination programs. This study aimed to evaluate Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) cases during 2017–2019 in Ankara. A total of ~1.7 million doses of vaccine were administered, and only 71 adverse events following immunization (AEFI) were reported (0.41 cases/million doses of risk). AEFI forms were examined, and of these 71 cases, 17 (24%) were hospitalized and 54 (76%) were followed-up.