Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Among Family Medicine Faculty and Resident Physicians

Authors

Bruno J. Lewin, Department of Family Medicine, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles, California; Department of Clinical Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California; Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CaliforniaFollow
Daniel T. Lee, Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Thalia M. Nguyen, Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Jonathan C. Briganti, Department of Family Medicine, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles, California
Janis Yao, Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
Derjung M. Tarn, Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

Submission Type

Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: Health care professionals are mandated to report select adverse events following immunization (AEFI) to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Yet, information is lacking about the practices and knowledge of reporting requirements among family medicine faculty and resident physicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of faculty and resident physicians in 10 family medicine residency programs was conducted in Southern California in May 2022. Outcomes included participant reporting practices and knowledge about VAERS.

Results: Of 108 survey respondents (45 faculty, 63 residents), 40 (89%) faculty physicians and 47 (73%) resident physicians had heard of VAERS. However, only 17 (20%) respondents who had heard of VAERS reported receiving VAERS training (5 [13%] faculty and 12 [26%] residents). Of 20 respondents who were aware of VAERS and had seen a serious adverse event, 6 (46%) faculty and 5 (71%) residents had filed a VAERS report. Few faculty and resident physicians correctly identified the need to report vasovagal syncope (12 [27%] faculty and 20 [32%] residents) and shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (18 [41%] faculty and 21 [33%] residents).

Discussion: Faculty and resident physicians in Southern California had high awareness of VAERS, but more than half of faculty and about one-quarter of residents did not file a VAERS report after seeing a serious AEFI. Many respondents were unfamiliar with reporting procedures.

Conclusions: Although residency programs beyond Southern California need to be evaluated, our findings support that both faculty and resident physicians need training to improve their reporting of AEFI.

Recommended Citation

Lewin, Bruno J.; Lee, Daniel T.; Nguyen, Thalia M.; Briganti, Jonathan C.; Yao, Janis; and Tarn, Derjung M. (2024) "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Among Family Medicine Faculty and Resident Physicians," Journal of Maine Medical Center: Vol. 6 : Iss. 2 , Article 12.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46804/2641-2225.1194