Interpretation of guidance on better treatment of adverse events following immunization

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2014-06-09

 

Background

Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) causes serious damage to vaccinated people and their families, and has received increasing attention in recent years. Although many regions have taken active measures to strengthen treatment to AEFI, there are still flawed policies and inadequate measures in some places. The National Health and Family Planning Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the China Food and Drug Administration, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation and the Red Cross Society of China jointly issued the Guidance on Better Treatment of Adverse Events Following Immunization to better prevent, control and treat the relevant cases, promote smooth vaccination work and maintain social harmony and stability. The guidance put forward specifies requirements on leadership, monitoring, emergency response, treatment and rehabilitation, investigative diagnosis, appraisal, compensation, follow-up care, support in treatment of abnormal reactions after vaccination, and clarified individual department responsibilities.

Content

1. Strengthen leadership

The guidance urged to establish a multi-sector coordination mechanism to prompt communication and information sharing, strengthen joint supervision and inspection, and regularly study problems in research work. At the same time, it required local health and family planning departments to appoint person to responsible for policy explanation, education counseling and information communications. The departments should also listen to public opinions, suggestions and demands, and properly handle them in accordance with the law.

2. Strengthen monitoring and emergency response

 The guidance clarified responsibilities of the health and family planning department and food and drug regulatory department in monitoring suspicious abnormal vaccination reactions and responding to major emergency events. It also put forward requirements for both departments to build an information communication mechanism, as well as strengthen interactive and regular monitoring information release and communication with media.