Influenza, which is also often referred to as the flu, is a serious infectious disease and can cause death. Flu is a viral infection that attacks the human respiratory system. The flu goes away on its own, but some people, such as toddlers younger than 2 years old and adults over 65 years old, can develop complications. You can avoid serious influenza conditions or complications by getting the flu vaccine every year and taking preventative steps.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Vaccination
Step 1. Avoid the “pre-filled vaccine syringe”
What is meant by "pre-filled vaccine syringe" is not a separate dose of flu vaccine which is specially produced by the vaccine manufacturer, but refers to several injections filled from single-dose or multiple-dose vaccine vials before patient arrives at the clinic. If you practice in a clinic, try not to use pre-filled vaccine injections. This can help prevent vaccine errors.
The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that the person administering the vaccine must be the person who also took it from the vial
Step 2. Take precautions for the patient
Before giving the vaccine, it's best to take some precautions to the patient, including making sure that he hasn't gotten his annual vaccination. This helps ensure the patient is not overly exposed to the virus or has a history of adverse reactions to vaccines. Never forget to ask about allergies so you don't give drugs that can trigger the patient's allergies. If the patient's answer is unclear, ask for a formal medical record. Always practice a two-step identification process by asking the patient's name and date of birth to ensure that he or she is receiving the injection.
- Get a copy of the patient's medical history. This can prevent medical errors from occurring.
- Ask if the patient has a history of adverse reactions to the flu vaccine. Fever, dizziness, or muscle aches are common side effects after receiving the flu vaccine and will go away over time. Some of the symptoms of allergies include difficulty breathing, itching, wheezing, weakness, and dizziness or heart palpitations. These symptoms are serious and should be evaluated immediately.
- Flublock influenza vaccine can be a good alternative for patients who have experienced an allergic reaction. This vaccine is made without using eggs, which can sometimes cause allergic reactions. This vaccine also does not use the flu virus itself.
Step 3. Provide the patient with a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
Everyone who will be injected with the flu vaccine must accept this statement. This information explains the types of vaccines that patients receive, and how they work to keep patients safe and eradicate the flu epidemic.
- Record the date of administration of the vaccine to the patient with a statement. Write on the patient chart or other vaccination record, if available. Ask the patient if he has any questions before proceeding to administer the vaccine at the appropriate dose. In this medical record, you must include the expiration date and serial number of the vaccine in case this information is needed at a later date.
- For those who live in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control also provides a copy of the VIS on its website for those who need related information.
Step 4. Wash your hands
Use hand soap and water to clean your hands before doing any kind of injection. This step prevents the spread of viruses and bacteria to you and the patient.
- You don't need special soap, feel free to use any hand soap. However, you should choose antibacterial hand soap. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- If you prefer, use hand sanitizer after you wash your hands to kill any bacteria you missed.
Part 2 of 3: Inject Vaccines
Step 1. Clean the area to be injected
Most flu vaccines are injected into the deltoid muscle of the right arm. Clean the deltoid area of the upper arm with a freshly opened alcohol swab. This can help ensure that no bacteria get to the injection site.
- Be sure to use a single dose of alcoholic cotton.
- If someone has large, very hairy arms, it's a good idea to use two alcohol swabs to make sure the deltoid area is completely clean.
Step 2. Choose a clean disposable needle
Choose a needle that fits the patient's size. Make sure you use disposable needles that are previously sealed to prevent disease transmission.
- Use a 2.5-4 cm needle for adults weighing 60 kg or more. This is the standard length of a 22–25 needle.
- Use a 2 cm needle for children and adults weighing less than 60 kg. Stretch the skin tightly while using the small needle.
Step 3. Attach the needle to the new syringe
After selecting the appropriate needle size for the patient, attach it to the syringe to be filled with the vaccine. Make sure you use new disposable syringes to minimize the risk of transmitting bacteria or other diseases to the patient.
Step 4. Fill the syringe with flu vaccine
Use a vial of flu vaccine, or TIV-IM, to fill the syringe at the correct dose for the patient. The age of the patient determines the dose he needs.
- Give 0.25 ml of vaccine to children aged 6-35 months.
- Give 0.5 ml to all patients over 35 months of age.
- For adults 65 years of age or older, you can give 0.5 ml of high-dose TIV-IM.
- If you don't have a 0.5 ml syringe, you can use two single 0.25 ml syringes.
Step 5. Insert the syringe into the patient's deltoid muscle
Gather the patient's deltoid muscle between the two fingers and hold it tight. Ask if the patient is right-handed or left-handed, and inject the vaccine into the non-dominant hand to prevent pain. If this is your first time injecting the flu vaccine, it's best to have an experienced nurse monitor your technique.
- Find the thickest part of the deltoid, which is usually above the armpit and below the acromion, or above the shoulder. Insert the needle firmly into the patient's deltoid in one smooth motion. The syringe should form a 90 degree angle to the skin.
- For children under 4 years of age, the vaccine needs to be injected into the outside of the quadriceps muscle because they don't have enough muscle in the deltoid area.
Step 6. Insert the vaccine into the patient until the syringe is empty
Make sure you put all the vaccines in the injection into the patient's body. The dose of the vaccine must be optimal in order to work effectively in the patient's body.
If the patient shows symptoms of discomfort, calm or distract him by talking to him, or turn on the television for the patient to watch
Step 7. Remove the needle from the patient's body
After you have injected the entire dose of vaccine into the patient, remove the needle from the deltoid. Press the injection point while removing the syringe to minimize pain, then cover it with a bandage.
- Tell the patient that the pain he will feel is normal and nothing to worry about.
- Make sure you remove the needle and press the injection point at the same time.
- You can cover the injection point with a bandage. It also helps calm many patients.
Step 8. Documentation of the patient's medical or immunization history
Include the date and place of the vaccination. Patients will need these medical records at a later date, and maybe you too, if you are their primary caregiver. This helps ensure the patient does not receive too many doses or are overexposed to the vaccine.
Step 9. Tell the parents that the pediatric patient needs a second injection
For children between 6 months and 8 years of age, a second dose of vaccine should be given 4 weeks after the first vaccination. If your child has not been vaccinated or whose vaccination history is unknown, or if you did not receive at least two doses of the vaccine before July 1, 2015, it means that he or she will need to receive a second vaccination.
Step 10. Tell the patient to report any side effects that occur to you
Tell the patient that the patient needs to be aware of the side effects of the vaccine, such as fever or pain. Although most side effects will go away on their own, if they are serious or prolonged, make sure the patient calls you.
Make sure you have emergency protocols in place to anticipate worst-case scenarios. In addition, make sure you have the patient's emergency contact information
Part 3 of 3: Preventing the Flu
Step 1. Wash your hands frequently
One of the most effective ways to prevent colds is to wash your hands properly and regularly. This minimizes the spread of bacteria and flu viruses from surfaces that people touch a lot.
- Use mild soap and water to wash your hands in warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use hand sanitizer if you can't use soap and water.
Step 2. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
If you have a cold, and out of courtesy, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow to prevent contamination of your hands.
- Covering your mouth and nose minimizes the risk of spreading the flu to those around you.
- Make sure you sanitize your hands by washing them as thoroughly as possible after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
Step 3. Avoid crowded places
Flu is quite contagious and spreads in crowded places. Stay away from crowded places to minimize the spread of this disease.
- Make sure you wash your hands after touching anything in public, such as handles on public transportation.
- If you catch the flu, rest at home for 24 hours to help minimize the risk of transmitting the disease.
Step 4. Disinfect frequently shared surfaces and spaces
Germs easily spread in places like the bathroom or kitchen. Clean and disinfect these rooms regularly to prevent the spread of the flu virus.
Tips
- If an immunocompromised patient needs the flu vaccine, it must be administered via a flu shot containing the dead virus, not FluMist, and must obtain permission from a doctor or other health professional.
- Health care providers are at high risk of contracting and spreading the flu if they do not get the flu vaccine. Be a role model and make sure you are vaccinated every season.
- If you are treating a patient with a weakened immune system, make sure you are vaccinated for the safety of that person. He is not yet well enough to receive a full flu shot so everyone around him must be vaccinated to protect him.
