Surveillance and compensation claims for adverse events following immunization from 2011 to 2016 in the Republic of Korea

PURPOSE: In recent years, research on reported adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and claims filed for compensation has been lacking. We reviewed reported AEFIs and compensation claims in Korea from 2011 to 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We listed all of the AEFI registered in the Integrated Management System of Disease and Public Health and reviewed the list of claims filed and serious AEFIs reported from 2011 to 2016. RESULTS: An average of 278 AEFI cases was reported annually from 2011 to 2016. Of these, 31 deaths were reported. However, there was no association found between these deaths and vaccinations when evaluating vaccine lot, reviewing autopsies, and considering underlying diseases. AEFI reporting rate was as high as 20.8 cases for bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, 7.3 cases for 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), and 5.4 cases for human papillomavirus vaccine per 100,000 vaccination doses in 2016. Of the 469 total cases that claimed vaccine injury compensation from 2011 to 2016, the BCG vaccine was most commonly involved, with 235 cases (50%), followed by influenza vaccine and PPV23, with 90 and 55 cases, respectively. Of these cases, 96% of BCG-related AEFI were compensated, while only 31% and 49% of AEFI following influenza and PPV23 vaccination, respectively, were compensated. Common characteristics of uncompensated cases included the elderly subjects, receiving influenza vaccine, having underlying disease, or a very short time interval between vaccination and symptoms. CONCLUSION: We have maintained vaccine safety management system through both rapid response to serious AEFI and vaccine injury compensation in order to sustain public trust in the National Immunization Program.