Adverse Events Following Immunization

Adverse Events Following Immunization

Adverse Events Following Immunization

On this page

AEFI Basics - Defining the Drama

  • Definition: An Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) is any untoward medical occurrence post-immunization, not necessarily causally linked. It includes any unfavorable sign, lab finding, symptom, or disease.

  • WHO Classification of AEFIs: 📌 Mnemonic: People Quality Errors Anxiety Coincidence (PQEAC)

    CategoryDescription
    Vaccine Product-relatedCaused by inherent vaccine properties.
    Vaccine Quality defect-relatedDue to vaccine quality defects.
    Immunization Error-relatedFrom inappropriate handling, prescribing, or administration.
    Immunization Anxiety-relatedArising from anxiety (e.g., vasovagal syncope, often immediate).
    Coincidental eventUnrelated; chance occurrence around vaccination time.

⭐ Immunization anxiety-related reactions (IARR) can mimic allergic reactions but are distinguished by context and symptoms like hyperventilation or fainting before/during injection.

Common Culprits - Everyday Vaccine Vibes

Minor AEFIs are frequent but generally self-limiting, categorized as:

  • Local reactions: Pain, swelling, redness, or nodule at the injection site. Adverse events following immunization
  • Systemic reactions: Fever (often <38.5°C), malaise, myalgia, headache.
VaccineCommon Local AEFICommon Systemic AEFI
BCGPain, papule → ulcer → scar (normal evolution)Mild fever (uncommon)
DPT (wP)Pain, swelling, redness, nodule; sterile abscessFever >38.5°C, irritability, prolonged crying
Measles/MMRMild pain, redness at siteFever (7-12 days post), transient morbilliform rash
OPV (Oral)N/ARarely: mild fever, vomiting, diarrhea

Serious Signals - When Vaccines Worry

AEFIKey FeaturesVaccine(s)Onset Window
AnaphylaxisRapid multi-system allergy. 📌 Epi IM ASAP! (0.01 mg/kg (max 0.5 mg) 1:1000 IM)Any<30 min
Encephalopathy/EncephalitisAltered LOC, seizures, focal deficitsMeasles, Pertussis (DTP)Days-weeks
Seizures (febrile/afebrile)Convulsions (febrile common)MMR, DTP, Influenza1-14 days
GBS (Guillain-Barré)Ascending paralysis, areflexiaInfluenza, MenACWYDays-6 wks
Thrombocytopenia↓Platelets, petechiaeMMR, Varicella1-6 wks
HHEPallor, hypotonia, ↓response; self-resolvesPertussis-containing<48 hrs
VAPPAcute flaccid paralysisOPV4-30 days
Disseminated BCGSystemic BCG (immunocompromised)BCGWks-months
TTSThrombosis + ↓PlateletsAdenoviral vector COVID-194-28 days
Myocarditis/PericarditisChest pain, dyspnea, ECG ΔsmRNA COVID-19, SmallpoxDays-weeks

AEFI Action Plan - Investigate & Intervene

  • AEFI Reporting (India):
    • Serious AEFI (death, disability, hospitalization, cluster): Report to DIO/Health Facility within 24 hours.
    • DIO: Leads investigation, ensures report completion, facilitates causality assessment.
  • Causality Assessment (WHO):
    • Determines vaccine-event link.
    • Categories:
      • Consistent causal association
      • Indeterminate
      • Inconsistent (coincidental)
      • Unclassifiable
  • Management:
    • Minor: Symptomatic (e.g., paracetamol for fever, cold compress for local pain).
    • Severe: Prompt referral to higher facility, emergency care (e.g., adrenaline for anaphylaxis).

⭐ Causality assessment of AEFIs is crucial to differentiate true vaccine reactions from coincidental events, ensuring public trust in immunization programs.

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • AEFI: Any untoward medical event post-immunization, causality not implied.
  • Types: Vaccine reaction, programmatic error, injection reaction (anxiety), coincidental event.
  • Most common: Mild fever, local pain/swelling/redness.
  • Serious AEFIs: Anaphylaxis (treat with adrenaline), GBS, encephalopathy, febrile seizures.
  • BCG: Suppurative lymphadenitis (ipsilateral axillary) is a known AEFI.
  • Programmatic errors: Unsterile injection, wrong vaccine/dose/route, reconstitution error.
  • AEFI surveillance is vital for vaccine safety and maintaining public trust.

Practice Questions: Adverse Events Following Immunization

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which vaccine is associated with complications such as osteomyelitis?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Adverse Events Following Immunization

1/10

The inactivated influenza vaccine results in _____ response to the hemagglutinin antigen

Hint: cell-mediated or humoral

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

The inactivated influenza vaccine results in _____ response to the hemagglutinin antigen

humoral (antibody)

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial