This proposal presents a framework for vaccine safety monitoring by leveraging the data, human resources, expertise, methods, and infrastructures that are available in the VAC4EU and EU PE&PV networks.
For this specific purpose, we included 10 pre-selected data sources from 7 countries whose data quality will be characterized using available INSIGHT tools (level 1-3 quality checks) that operate on the ConcePTION CDM structure. The source population comprises 68,300,000 persons. Fitness for purpose will subsequently be assessed using the data feasibility assessment tool by Gatto et al., and public external benchmarks of incidence and vaccination coverage, in compliance with the EMA data quality framework.
A selection of immune-mediated events will be agreed with EMA from a comprehensive list that we propose. Background incidence and prevalence rates of these events and their flares will be calculated, based on detailed algorithms and analysis of the contribution of single components of information to the overall risk estimates.
A case study to investigate the association between RSV vaccines and Guillain Barré Syndrome in a comparative cohort study, using a target trial emulation is proposed as an example of an optional service.
Studies will be conducted under the ENCePP code of conduct. Protocols, reports, code lists, clinical definition forms and phenotype algorithms, results and programs will be made publicly available with digital object identifiers in line with FAIR principles.
Data access providers for the optional service will be chosen based on fitness for purpose assessments and lag times to ensure at least 5 data sources, 2 of which with short lag times.
Objective 1: To provide and describe a network of real-world data sources for the evaluation of vaccine safety signals, and to assess its fitness-for-purpose.
Objective 2: To provide an estimation of the occurrence of flares of selected pre-existing chronic diseases using electronic healthcare data sources.
Objective 3: To provide (i) a critical review of existing case definitions for immunocompromised populations, and (ii) a consolidated approach to identify and characterise such populations in real-world data sources.