Who created the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)?

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) was established as part of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. This act was implemented to encourage the reporting of adverse events following vaccinations and to create a transparent mechanism for monitoring vaccine safety. The system provides a critical tool for public health authorities to identify potential safety concerns associated with vaccines, as it collects and analyzes reports of adverse events, aiding in ongoing evaluation and research regarding vaccine safety.

By linking VAERS to the 1986 act, it emphasizes the government's commitment to balancing vaccine availability with safety oversight. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) play significant roles in vaccine regulation and safety monitoring, the formation of VAERS was a direct outcome of that specific legislative action, recognizing the need for a comprehensive reporting system as vaccines became a more widely used public health tool.