Vaccine Safety Surveillance (VSS) In South Africa

This manual focuses on surveillance and response to Adverse Events Following Immunisation. It is guided by the policies of the National Department of Health and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, with recommendations from the World Health Organisation, to serve as guidelines for Vaccine Safety Surveillance. It provides guidelines and procedures for healthcare professionals at all levels within the healthcare sector in South Africa on the following focus areas:

• Strategies and systems for ensuring the quality and safety of vaccines and immunisation
• Objectives of immunisation safety
• Adverse events following immunisation surveillance
• Classification of adverse events following immunisation
• Surveillance system: reporting, investigation and causality assessment
• Best use of surveillance data for response and follow-up process
• Communication strategy on immunisation safety for the public and the media