Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS)

Users can access data pertaining to clinically significant medical events that occur after vaccination in the United States. Background The Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and by the Food and Drug Administration. The primary goals of VAERS is to detect new, unusual, or rare adverse events; monitor increases in known adverse events; Identify potential patient risk factors for particular types of adverse events; identify vaccine lots with increased numbers of types of adverse events; and assess the safety of newly licensed vaccines. The Nat ional Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986 requires health professionals and vaccine manufacturers to report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services specific adverse events that occur after the administration of routinely recommended vaccines User functionality Data is presented by year and is divided into three subcategories. VAERS Data includes information about the patient’s demographics, and data related to their adverse event. VAERS Symptoms lists the symptoms of the adverse event. Lastly, VAERS Vaccine gives information about the origin and type of vaccine. Data Notes Raw data is available from 1990- December 7, 2010 and can be downloaded using ZIP files or Comma-Separated Value (CSV) files. Data are updated on a monthly basis. Data is also available through the CDC wonder interface by clicking on the “CDC wonder” link at the top of the page. Here users can create their own charts and graphs.