Health diaries for monitoring events following immunization
Freeman, T.R.; Stewart, M.; Birtwhistle, R.; Fisher, D.C.
Canadian Journal of Public Health 91(6): 426-430
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4263 PMID: 11200732 Document Number: 514598
The present study set out to determine the validity of the information and the feasibility of using health diaries to monitor vaccine adverse events [Canada, date not given]. Mothers of children about to receive DPT vaccine were asked to keep a diary of their child's health, and their doctors were randomized into one of three groups: (1) a close follow-up (CFG, n=80); (2) a telephone follow-up (TFG, n=80); or (3) a mail follow-up group (MFG, n=80). Diary return rates were good at 98.8%, 82.5%, and 86.2% for the CFG, TFG, and MFG groups, respectively. Agreement between the parent and nurse on the existence of common symptoms was high, varying from 89.9% to 98.7%; redness and swelling was high at 78.5% and 96.2% respectively; and axillary temperatures was lower from 71.6% up. This study found that health diaries were a valid and complete method for monitoring the most common types of vaccine-related illness, with the possible exception of body temperature.