Timeliness of signal detection for adverse events following influenza vaccination in young children: a simulation case study.

Objectives: To determine how soon after commencement of the seasonal influenza vaccination programme, the AusVaxSafety active vaccine safety surveillance system, currently in use across Australia, would have detected a safety signal had it been operating in 2010 when there was an unprecedented number of febrile seizures in young children associated with one specific influenza vaccine brand, Fluvax (CSL Biotherapies).

Design: Simulation study.

Setting: Western Australian vaccine influenza coverage and adverse event surveillance data.