Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community (SAEFVIC)

SAEFVIC is the vaccine safety surveillance service in Victoria for reporting any significant Adverse events following immunisation. We are a public health partnership initiative of the Victorian Immunisation Program funded by the Department of Health (DH).

SAEFVIC confidentially collects, analyses and reports data about significant AEFI as part of monitoring vaccine safety in Victoria. All reports received are forwarded to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) who closely monitor and assess vaccine safety.

Timely reporting to SAEFVIC enables us to quickly detect any potential vaccine or system problems. This helps to ensure Victoria has a safe immunisation program and maintains community confidence.

The results of your reporting also contributes to the Victorian COVID-19 vaccine safety report, which can be viewed here: saefvic.online/vaccinesafety

What is an adverse event?

An AEFI may be due to:

  • A person's response to the vaccine
  • A problem with the system delivering the vaccine (from vaccine distribution through to injection technique)
  • Coincidence, ie. an event that would have happened even if no immunisation was given

What AEFI should be reported?

You should report:

  • Any event felt to be significant following immunisation, regardless of whether you think the symptoms were related to the vaccine or not
  • Any expected symptoms that have not gone away after a few days
  • Any side effects following an immunisation which requires assessment by a doctor or nurse
  • Suspected shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
  • Any immunisation administration errors

Any vaccine reaction which has affected the vaccinee's/family's confidence in future immunisation should be reported.

You do not need to routinely report minor, common or expected side effects:

  • These may include pain, redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, nausea, fever and chills, feeling unwell or joint pain
  • For further details of minor, common or expected side effects to National Immunisation Program (NIP) and influenza vaccines refer to Vaccine Side Effects
  • For further details of minor, common and expected side effects following COVID-19 vaccines refer to After your AstraZeneca Vaccine and After your Pfizer (COMIRNATY) Vaccine

Who can report an AEFI?

Any vaccinated individual, parents/guardians, immunisation providers or treating medical practitioner can report an AEFI to SAEFVIC.

How to report an AEFI to SAEFVIC online

DHHS and SAEFVIC strongly encourage providers and consumers to report all unexpected or serious adverse events and vaccination errors to us via this database.

There are two pathways for reporting AEFI following the administration of vaccines:

  1. Any significant adverse events (as outlined in the criteria above) should be reported via this website. The vaccinee (person who received the vaccine) may receive follow up clinical advice (email or telephone) for these reports.

    For first time users go to the Register tab on this website or if you have previously registered go to the Login tab.

    For more information see the Reporting Guide which can also be found on the instructions tab on this website once you log in.

    To find out more about why this data is collected and what it is used for click here.

    NOTE: If you are not the vaccinee (the person who was immunised) then you will need to gain consent to report before you report unless it is impracticable (ie. for serious errors or AEFI where the vaccinee cannot be contacted immediately OR where the vaccinee is incapable of consent for any reason).

  2. For minor, common or expected side effects particularly from COVID-19 vaccines, if you would like to contribute to data collection to assist health authorities in understanding the frequency of these symptoms occurring, you may report them via the ‘SAEFVIC Rapid Report’ form. Please note that there will be no clinical follow up provided for these reports.

Clinical services

Doctors and nurses reporting significant AEFI will receive advice by phone, email or letter to help clinically manage the future care and immunisation needs of these patients.

Specialised immunisation clinics (including allergy services) are available for further discussion in people who have experienced a significant AEFI. Where suitable, supervised vaccinations will be offered.

Referrals can be sent to:

Contact us

Our operating hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays). The online system is always available.

Note: this is not an emergency management contact. Please see your GP, local Emergency Department, or call 000 if immediate assistance is required.

Useful links