Ask the experts COVID-19 vaccines questions: Monitoring safety after approval
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Medical experts answer your common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.
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- How are children’s COVID-19 vaccines monitored for safety and side effects?
- How are side effects and the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines monitored in Canada?
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How are children’s COVID-19 vaccines monitored for safety and side effects?
Transcript
A super appears on a pink background: COVID-19 vaccine questions
Cut to a new super on a white background with a pink border: How are children’s COVID-19 vaccines monitored for safety and side effects?
Cut to a doctor in an office, then a super appears:
- Dr. Cora Constantinescu
- Pediatrician and Infectious Disease Specialist
- Alberta Children’s Hospital
- University of Calgary
The doctor answers the question.
Dr. Cora Constantinescu: All vaccines approved in Canada are closely monitored for as long as they’re used.
The federal government works with the provinces and territories, but also with vaccine manufacturers and other countries where the same vaccine is given, to monitor the safety and the effectiveness of vaccines.
Canada also has a specific system to monitor the safety of vaccines for children. It’s called the Canadian Immunization Monitoring Program ACTive, also known as IMPACT, and it has been used to monitor childhood vaccinations for more than 20 years.
This continued monitoring works to quickly identify potential safety concerns so that the appropriate action can be taken if needed.
If you’re unsure or you have questions about your child getting vaccinated, I encourage you to speak with your health care provider.
Cut to a white screen with a pink border: Got questions?
Cut to a new white screen with a pink border:
- Good.
- We’ve got answers.
- Canada.ca/covid-vaccine
The Canada wordmark with waving flag appears.
Learn more about:
- How the COVID-19 vaccines are studied and tested for children and youth
- Vaccines and treatments for COVID-19: Safety after approval
- COVID-19: Vaccine safety and side effects
- Dr. Supriya Sharma
- Chief Medical Advisor
- Health Canada
- Good.
- We've got answers.
- Canada.ca/covid-vaccine
- Drugs and vaccines for COVID-19
- Vaccine safety and possible side effects: Making sure vaccines are safe
- Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada
How are side effects and the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines monitored in Canada?
Transcript
A super appears on a pink background: COVID-19 vaccine questions
A person speaks directly to the camera to ask a question: How are side effects and the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines monitored in Canada?
Cut to a doctor in an office, then a super appears:
The doctor responds to the person’s question.
Dr. Supriya Sharma: Vaccines are among the most closely monitored medications anywhere. Health Canada works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada and public health officials to make sure that all vaccines are tracked and monitored for any side effects. We not only look for the safety of those vaccines but also the effectiveness or how well they work. And if any issues come up, we’ll act on it as soon as possible to make sure that those vaccines can continue to be used safely and effectively.
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Watch the extended version: How are the COVID-19 vaccines being monitored for safety?
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