Final answer:
VAERS stands for Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a tool for monitoring the safety of vaccines by collecting data on adverse events following vaccination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question is Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. VAERS is a national early warning system to detect possible safety problems in U.S.-licensed vaccines. It is a passive reporting system, meaning it relies on individuals to send in reports of their experiences to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Health care professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and the public can report events that happen after vaccination, even if it is not clear that the vaccine caused the adverse event. This system helps to ensure that the vaccines given to the public remain safe and effective.