Prevalence of errors causing events allegedly attributable to vaccination/immunization: systematic review and meta-analysis

• Main Authors: Laís Oliveira de Moraes Tavares (Author), Marla Ariana Silva (Author), Bianca Rabelo de Oliveira (Author), Gabriela Gonçalves Amaral (Author), Eliete Albano de Azevedo Guimarães (Author), Renê Oliveira Couto (Author), Valéria Conceição de Oliveira (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1983-1447; 10.1590/1983-1447.2024.20230097.en
• Keywords: Immunization; Vaccination; Medication errors; Systematic review; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem, Vol 45 (2024)

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the prevalence of errors that caused events supposedly attributable to vaccination or immunization. Method: Systematic literature review with meta-analysis carried out on the Medline, Cochrane Library, Cinahl, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scopus; Embase; Open Grey; Google Scholar; and Grey Lit databases; with studies that presented the prevalence of immunization errors that caused events or that provided data that allowed this indicator to be calculated. Results: We evaluated 11 articles published between 2010 and 2021, indicating a prevalence of 0.044 errors per 10,000 doses administered (n=762; CI95%: 0.026 - 0.075; I2 = 99%, p < 0.01). The prevalence was higher in children under 5 (0.334 / 10,000 doses; n=14). The predominant events were fever, local pain, edema and redness. Conclusion: A low prevalence of errors causing events was identified. However, events supposedly attributable to vaccination or immunization can contribute to vaccine hesitancy and, consequently, have an impact on vaccination coverage.