Which of the following best explains why the Vaccine Adverse Event Rep

Which of the following best explains why the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) was originally legislated? (Select all that apply.)

a. To ensure that data are used to educate health care professionals on proper vaccine administration
b. To conduct media campaigns to help convince parents to bring their children in to receive appropriate immunizations
c. To determine whether changes should be made in procedures or biological agents
d. To illustrate, using actual data, that vaccines are widely given to healthy people with almost no side effects
e. To monitor actual and potential vaccine-related problems. To provide assistance to families who experience a vaccine-related injury

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: C, E
No drug is perfectly safe or effective. The VAERS allows for the monitoring of actual and potential vaccine-related problems. Changes are made on the basis of the collected data. For example, whole cell pertussis vaccine was changed to an acellular pertussis vaccine because of adverse side effects. To monitor actual and potential vaccine-related problems, health care providers must report specific postvaccination “adverse events” to the VAERS. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program reviews all VAERS reports and provides assistance for individuals and families who experience a vaccine-related injury, including disability and death. The VAERS does not provide education to health care professionals on proper vaccine administration or conduct media campaigns to help convince parents to bring their children in to receive appropriate immunizations. Vaccines can produce a variety of responses, both positive and negative. Thus, side effects can occur in healthy people.