Rudolph A, Mitchell J, Barrett J, Sköld H, Taavola H, Erlanson N, Melgarejo-González C, Yue QY. Global safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines: how pharmacovigilance rose to the challenge.
Ther Adv Drug Saf 2022;
13:20420986221118972. [PMID:
36052399 PMCID:
PMC9424876 DOI:
10.1177/20420986221118972]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacovigilance (PV) came suddenly into the spotlight when several new
vaccines, developed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, received emergency
authorisation and were rolled out on a large scale in late 2020. The vaccines
underwent stringent clinical trials and evaluation from regulatory authorities,
but with the use of novel technology and an anticipated rapid and vast
deployment of the vaccines, the importance of a well-functioning international
post marketing safety surveillance system was stressed. International PV
stakeholders were faced with several challenges due to the extent of the global
vaccination campaign. The unprecedented volume of reports of suspected adverse
events following immunization has led to the development and use of new tools.
Furthermore, the collaboration between various PV stakeholders was encouraged
and strengthened. PV rose to the challenges posed by the currently ongoing
global COVID-19 vaccination campaign and successful adaptations were made in a
short period of time. However, the pandemic has not ended yet, the vaccination
campaign is far from being completed, and further challenges are anticipated.
Advances made during the pandemic will be important to strengthen PV in future
and ensure to advance medicines’ safety together.
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