Adverse event following immunisation
An Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) as described by the online Australian Immunisation Handbook is any negative reaction that follows vaccination. It does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the vaccine.
The adverse event may be any:
- unfavourable or unintended sign
- unfavourable or unintended symptom
- disease
- abnormal laboratory finding
These events may be caused by the vaccine(s) or may occur by chance (that is, the event would have occurred regardless of vaccination).
Mild events, such as fever, pain or redness at the site of injection, tiredness and aches and pains commonly occur after vaccination with some vaccines and should be anticipated.
Under the Public Health Act 2005, events following immunisation are a notifiable condition. It is very important that all AEFI are reported, particularly if serious or unexpected, as this will enable vaccine safety issues to be identified and managed appropriately as soon as possible.
Reporting an AEFI for all other vaccines
Notify Queensland Health by completing an Adverse Events Following Immunisation Reporting Form (PDF 189 kB).
You do not need to complete a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) form. Queensland Health will notify the TGA to enable national monitoring and reporting of AEFI in Australia.
More information
Contact your local public health unit.
