Successful methodology for large-scale surveillance of severe events following influenza vaccination in Canada, 2011 and 2012

摘要

Health events occurring in the seven days before receiving the questionnaire link were docu- mented by broad categories: local injection site reac- tions (vaccinated HCW only), systemic symptoms (fever as temperature 238.5°C, fatigue, myalgia), respiratory symptoms suggestive of allergy-like events, bronchitis, cold, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting), influenza, pharyngitis, pneumonia, sinusi- tis, tonsillitis and any other health event. Symptoms of oculorespiratory syndrome (ORS) and numbness (anaesthesia/paraesthesia) were also solicited [5-7]. ORS was defined according to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization definition [7]. All events were considered severe if they prevented daily activi- ties, resulted in work absenteeism, or required a medi- cal consultation.