The Vaccine Safety Net (VSN), a GACVS initiative, was launched in 2004 in response to the growing number of websites providing misinformation related to vaccine safety. In light of the rapid growth of the internet throughout the past decade, and the development of multiple new information sharing technologies, GACVS deemed it important to review the current criteria for good information practices to ensure that they remain evidence-based, relevant, current and comprehensive.

The primary objective of the VSN is to improve global dissemination of web-based vaccine safety information that adheres to good information practices. In order to assess information on vaccines publicly available on the internet, GACVS developed 4 categories of criteria – based on credibility, content, accessibility and design – to which sites providing information on vaccine safety should adhere. WHO evaluates websites against these criteria and provides a list of resources in multiple languages.⁸

A working group revisited the criteria between September and December 2014. Throughout the revision process, the working group focused on 6 key factors: (1) reducing and consolidating the criteria; (2) revisiting the wording for clarity/currency; (3) revisiting the categories of criteria; (4) determining feasibility of implementation by websites; (5) identifying crucial criteria that must be met before websites are permitted to join the VSN; and (6) recognition of emerging standards and trends such as mobile platforms and social networks.

The working group presented an update on the VSN and a draft set of revised criteria for consideration at the December 2014 GACVS meeting. The Committee reviewed each criterion; discussion and recommendations centered on issues of particular sensitivity, such as websites’ transparency of sponsorship.

The working group will amend the draft revised criteria according to the recommendations from GACVS and prepare a final set of revised criteria to be presented to the GACVS in June 2015. The working group will also develop a detailed guidance document, as a supplement to the list of criteria, to provide website owners with detailed instructions and examples on how to meet each criterion. Once endorsed by GACVS, the revised criteria and the guidance document will be posted on the WHO VSN webpage.

With respect to additional next steps, the working group will conduct an analysis of communication trends and related platforms, provide a recommendation on whether the VSN should assess these new technologies, and determine whether good information practices already exist for these information platforms. The results of this analysis will inform the development of a 2-year strategic plan for the VSN. The working group will present both the proposal regarding adding new technologies to the VSN and the 2-year plan to the GACVS in June 2015.

⁸See WHO VSN webpage: http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/initiative/communication/network/vaccine_safety_websites/en/

Full report of GACVS meeting of 3-4 December 2014, published in the WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record of 23 January 2015