Surveillance of adverse events following immunization against yellow fever

Overview

This field guide is intended for health workers at the central, intermediate and peripheral levels (physicians, health workers and decision-makers) who may have to deal with cases of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) related to yellow fever vaccination.

This guide has been designed to help in planning and carrying out field investigations into AEFI related to yellow fever vaccination. This initiative has been made possible by the experience gathered over many years in different countries within the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) framework, using other vaccines such as those against poliomyelitis and measles. Specific sections of the guide (e.g. the use of active surveillance) relate specifically to adverse events that may occur following yellow fever vaccination. The guide is therefore not intended to replace any existing guidelines for AEFI surveillance in general. Whenever possible, and to optimize the use of human and other resources, surveillance of adverse events related to yellow fever vaccination should be coordinated with routine AEFI surveillance activities in each country.

This guide contains practical information relating to adverse events on:

• planning and setting up a system of active and passive surveillance of yellow fever AEFI,
• carrying out investigations into AEFI,
• case management,
• communication with the public in regard to AEFI. Users will find here an operational framework to adapt to local conditions as required.

Users will find here an operational framework to adapt to local conditions as required.