Vaccine Safety Datalink

Description

The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) is part of the National Immunization Program within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The VSD was started in 1990 in recognition of gaps in the scientific knowledge of rare vaccine side effects. The VSD is a large-linked database, involving seven large health maintenance organizations, and includes information on more than six million people. All vaccines administered within the study population are monitored. Data in the VSD include vaccine type, date of vaccination, concurrent vaccinations (those given during the same visit), the manufacturer, lot number and injection site. Medical records are monitored for potential adverse events resulting from immunization, although cancer incidence is not specifically mentioned.

The NIP VSD data sharing program is now being administered by the National Center for Health Statistic's Research Data Center. Data is available to external researchers upon acceptance of a research proposal and under the guidelines defined by the RDC.

Last Updated: 02 Feb 2012

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences National Cancer Institute Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health USA.gov