Vaccine safety monitoring and the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring
The report(1) of the WHO Consultation on global monitoring of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) held in Geneva on 9–10 January 2006 at the request of the GACVS(2) was presented and discussed by the Committee. The recommendations were endorsed, with emphasis placed on ensuring that vaccine pharmacovigilance is strengthened within the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring with respect to data transmission by countries, assurance of data quality, and the processing and analysis of data, including timely signal detection and action. A working subgroup of 6 GACVS members was formed to ensure that the initiative continues to move forward in a timely fashion. Terms of reference and an action plan will be developed and initiated by the working group in conjunction with the WHO secretariat in the coming months and a progress report submitted to GACVS at its November 2006 meeting.
1. See No. 27, 2006, pp. 261-265
2. See No. 28, 2005, pp. 242-247