Acceptability of patient-centered digital vaccine safety monitoring: A Canadian Immunization Research Network study

This study examined the willingness of Canadians to use patient-centered digital reporting solutions for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reporting. We identified the preferred medium for reporting, and any privacy and confidentiality concerns among prospective users. A geographically diverse panel of 2,036 Canadian adults 18 y of age and older was surveyed online in September 2024. Descriptive statistics and a multivariable regression model were used to identify factors associated with a willingness to report AEFI. Among respondents 85% (n = 1724) indicated a willingness to report AEFI, and most (n = 1137, 56%) preferred to report AEFI only when they occurred as opposed to answering survey on a regular basis for a short duration after vaccination (n = 458, 22%). The largest proportion of respondents (n = 911, 45%) indicated a preference to use an online fillable form through a secure government website to report AEFI. Living with a disability, age over 24 y and having a great deal of confidence in scientists were all significantly associated with a willingness to report, while having a great deal of trust in pharmaceutical companies was inversely associated. Our results emphasize the importance of considering convenience, privacy and confidentiality, and trust in public institutions when developing patient-centered digital reporting systems for AEFI. Future research should explore income and ethnic disparities in willingness to report AEFI and the effect of tailoring reporting systems to public concerns on willingness to report.