To whom should vaccine problems be reported?

Vaccine problems are reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) because this system was specifically established to monitor the safety of vaccines. VAERS is a national system co-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it serves as a critical tool for collecting and analyzing information on vaccine side effects and adverse events.

By reporting to VAERS, healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers can contribute to the ongoing safety surveillance of vaccines, which helps to identify potential safety concerns, ensuring that vaccines remain safe for public use. The data collected by VAERS is vital for public health responses and for continuous improvements in vaccination practices.

While Medwatch is a reporting system for adverse events related to medical products, including drugs and some medical devices, it is not specifically tailored for vaccine-related issues. Reporting to the FDA directly can also be valid, but it is typically done through the VAERS system for vaccines. Likewise, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) primarily focuses on healthcare policy and regulation, rather than directly managing vaccine safety issues.