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Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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(PDF 23K)

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Call VAERS at
1-800-822-7967

Accessing VAERS Public Data

VAERS data is accessible by two mechanisms: by downloading raw data in comma-separated value (CSV) files for import into a database, spreadsheet or text editing program, or by use of the CDC WONDER online search tool.

CDC WONDER — Wide-ranging OnLine Data for Epidemiologic Research — is an easy-to-use, menu-driven system requiring no computer expertise or special software. With CDC WONDER you can produce tables, maps, charts and data extracts showing the incidence of vaccine adverse events, and select specific event, vaccine and demographic criteria to produce cross-tabulated incidence measures. You can also limit and index your data by several variables.

For those wishing to download VAERS data, links to CSV and compressed (ZIP) files may be found below. For information about VAERS data found on this page, please view the README.TXT file (Text - 32 KB), which contains the following information:

  • Important information from the FDA about VAERS
  • Brief description of VAERS
  • Caveats to Interpretation of VAERS data
  • Definitions of terms used
  • Description of Files
  • List of commonly used abbreviations used at VAERS program

Select the desired time interval to download static VAERS data. Each data set is available for download in 2 formats: as a Zip file or as a pair of CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. Each Zip file contains the two CSV files listed for a specific data set. If necessary, refer to the instructions for saving these files 1.

Note: The Zip files require an application such as WinZip, unless you run Windows ME, Windows XP or Macintosh OS X operating systems. The CSV files may be opened with a spreadsheet application or a text editor.

Last updated: May 8, 2008

1 Instructions for saving data sets

From a Zip File:

  1. Click on the file you wish to download.
  2. If you are asked whether you would like to Open or Save the file, select Save. This will open a browser window asking you to indicate the location in your computer where you wish to store the downloaded file. Specify the location and select Save.
  3. When the download is complete, locate the file by navigating to the directory you specified or run a search in your system using the word "VAERS".
  4. Double-click on the file. This will open a program that will uncompress the ZIP file.
  5. The program will offer instructions on how to extract and save the CSV files from the Zip. You will be asked to choose a location for these files.
  6. You may open the CSV files using your desired application (e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, etc.).

From a CSV File:

  1. Click on the file you wish to download.
  2. If you are asked whether you would like to Open or Save the file, select Save. This will open a browser window asking you to indicate the location in your computer where you wish to store the downloaded file. Specify the location and select Save.
  3. If the file opens within your browser window, expand the browser's File menu. Choose the option for Save As or Save Page As. The exact wording of the option will vary depending on what browser you are using. Specify the location where the file will be saved and continue.
  4. When the download is complete, locate the file by navigating to the directory you specified or run a search in your system using the word "VAERS".
  5. You may open the CSV files using your desired application (e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, etc.).

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