Feasibility of telemonitoring for active surveillance of influenza vaccine safety in the primary care setting in the Netherlands

We examined the feasibility of a commercial home telemonitoring system for monitoring adverse events related to vaccination and influenza-like illness (ILI) signs and outcomes in the primary care setting in the Netherlands. A prospective cohort of people eligible for influenza vaccination was monitored daily between mid-October 2007 and mid-March 2008. Adults from five primary care centres were invited to participate. A total of 245 people participated (response rate 75%). Their mean age was 61 years (SD = 15), 50% were female and 60% had a chronic disease. Most (73%) had no problems with installation of the system and 67% finished all sets of monitoring dialogues. The reported incidence of adverse events in the first week after vaccination was 8–38%. The reported incidence rates of ILI symptoms varied and were higher than reference data. A total of 39% of individuals consulted their general practitioner, 7% the hospital emergency department, 6% were hospitalized and 27% used medication. Of those in paid work, one-third reported absence of work due to ILI. Home telemonitoring appears to be feasible for monitoring vaccine adverse events and ILI symptoms and outcomes.