Excerpts from a discussion on another forum about adverse events following immunization (AEFI) data collection. Dhruv wrote: A wise option. Why don't we develop a cellphone-based VAERS? Prabir wrote: See http://www.slideshare.net/prabirkc/sms-based-death-reporting which has to do with a similar system. You are quite right. An EPI Surveyor form would be easy or else something costlier -- but more user friendly like CG NetSwara (http://cgnetswara.org/)* I believe that a good VAERS or adverse event reporting system with compensation for likely cases and treatment and rehabilitation for all is a human right in a society that uses vaccines. Here I think both vaccine supporters and doubters will find common ground. Questions of compensating residual paralysis patients, rehabilitation and disability benefits are where physiotherapists, virologists, social workers and activists can agree. Deaths after HPV, after JE and the AFP who are weak need attention. Dr Sunil Kaul wrote: That is a good system you are suggesting. Only worry is who will judge whether the adverse event is attributable to the vaccination or not? But all the same, it may actually increase the adverse events directory and allow research in the long run. theant, Udangshri Dera Rowmari, P O Khagrabari, via Bongaigaon Dist Chirang (BTAD), Assam 783380 INDIA http://www.theant.org [email protected] Ph: 094351 22042 (m) 03664 293803 (r) IDeA 03664 293801 the ant Office: 03664 293802 Padma Prakash wrote: There are a number of commercially available medical alert systems marketed abroad. They use a Global Positioning System (GPS), and are one-button instruments that also are cellphones. I've always wondered at why hospitals haven't thought of offering the service to vulnerable--- older people, or those with particular problems---in their areas. At one time these were thought to be too expensive. But it should not be so with the spread of cellphone services and if a service provider could be drawn into it. But there are some initiatives today ---and several successful ones in Kenya and Nigeria I think-- that are cheap; used if I remember, for pregnancy and delivery related events in far-flung but demographically small communities. There are of course any number of youth-led groups that are using the mobile phone services very effectively for community-related work of all kinds including alerts on help on sexual assaults, police assaults, violence, etc. I don't see why this cannot be developed for adverse drug reaction reporting. A simultaneous website like CG NetSwara would be easy enough. The critical issue is the content. Do you know if it isn't in fact being developed here? * Moderator's note: CGnet Swara is a platform to discuss issues related to Central Gondwana region in India. It is a voice-based portal, freely accessible via mobile phone, that allows anyone to report and listen to stories of local interest. Reported stories are moderated by journalists and become available for playback online as well as over the phone.