Classification of AEFIs
Although all vaccines used in NIPs are safe and effective if used correctly, no vaccine is completely risk-free and adverse events will occasionally result after an immunization.
An Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine. The adverse event may be any unfavourable or unintended sign, abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease.
AEFIs are grouped into five categories.
An AEFI that is caused or precipitated by a vaccine due to one or more of the inherent properties of the vaccine product.
Example: Extensive limb swelling following DTP vaccination.
An AEFI that is caused or precipitated by a vaccine that is due to one or more quality defects of the vaccine product including its administration device as provided by the manufacturer.
Example: Failure by the manufacturer to completely inactivate a lot of inactivated polio vaccine
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)An inactivated (killed) polio vaccine, developed in 1955 by Dr. Jonas Salk. Unlike oral polio vaccine (OPV), a LAV vaccine, IPV must be injected to produce the desired immune response. leads to cases of paralytic polio.
An AEFI that is caused by inappropriate vaccine handling, prescribing or administration and thus by its nature is preventable.
Example: Transmission of infection by contaminated multidose vial.
An AEFI arising from anxiety about the immunization.
Example: Vasovagal syncopeVasovagal syncopeA neurovascular reaction that leads to fainting. in an adolescent during/following vaccination.
An AEFI that is caused by something other than the vaccine product, immunization error or immunization anxiety.
Example: A fever occurs at the time of the vaccination (temporal associationTemporal associationTwo or more events that occur around the same time. The preceding event may or may not be Two or more events that occur around the same time. The preceding event may or may not be causally related to the later one.) but is in fact caused by malariaMalariaAn infectious disease caused by a parasite (plasmodium) that is transmitted from human to human by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa..
Coincidental events reflect the natural occurrence of health problems in the community with common problems being frequently reported.
Serious event
An AEFI will be considered serious, if it:
- results in death,
- is life-threatening,
- requires in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization,
- results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity,
- is a congenital anomaly/birth defect, or
- requires intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage.
Severe event
Severe is used to describe the intensity of a specific event (as in mild, moderate or severe); the event itself, however, may be of relatively minor medical significance (e.g Fever is a common relatively minor medical event, but according to its severity it can be graded as mild fever or moderate fever).
Key point
It is important to note that ‘serious’ and ‘severe’ are often used as interchangeable terms but they are not.
Question
True or false?
An anaphylactic reaction following immunization that results in the death of the patient is considered a serious event.
This statement is true.
- Events that are life-threatening or result in the death of a patient are defined as "serious".