The flu is a serious, highly contagious and potentially fatal disease. It is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. In some cases it resolves spontaneously, but some people are at risk for complications. However, by undergoing the vaccine and taking all preventive measures it is possible to avoid contagion or serious consequences from developing.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Vaccinate
Step 1. Avoid pre-dosed syringes
If you have to administer the vaccine in a clinic, do not use this type of tool to minimize errors.
Centers for Disease Prevention and Control advise the person physically performing the injection to also prepare the syringe by aspirating the drug from the vial
Step 2. Take all safety measures for the patient
Before administering the vaccine you must put in place a series of safety procedures to ensure the patient's health, including making sure they have not already been vaccinated for the current year. This way you can be sure that the individual is not excessively exposed to the virus or you can become aware of previous adverse reactions to the product.
- If possible, obtain a copy of the patient's medical record.
- Ask him if he has ever had a bad reaction to the flu shot. Fever, dizziness and muscle aches may indicate an allergy to the vaccine. Choose a type of vaccine that carries the lowest possible risk of adverse reactions.
Step 3. Provide the patient with the informed consent form
Each person receiving the vaccine should read the information note and sign a consent form to undergo the treatment. This document explains what type of vaccine is injected and how it works to protect the patient and fight flu outbreaks.
- Write down the date you vaccinate the patient and give him the information note. Write down all the data in your vaccination booklet or medical record. Ask him if he has any questions before continuing with the procedure.
- On the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention you can find copies of the informed consent form that you can use for dissemination purposes.
Step 4. Wash your hands
Use soap and water and clean your hands before giving any type of injection. This way you avoid the spread of the flu virus and any other bacteria present on your body or that of the patient.
- No special soap is needed, any type of detergent is fine. Scrub your hands very carefully for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water.
- If you wish, you can use an alcoholic hand sanitizer at the end of the wash to kill any residual bacteria.
Part 2 of 3: Inject the Vaccine
Step 1. Clean the area where you will inject
Most flu vaccines are given into the deltoid muscle of the right arm. Use a freshly opened alcohol swab and gently scrub the patient's deltoid area on the upper arm. This prevents bacteria from contaminating the site.
- Remember to use disposable pads.
- If the person has a very large or particularly hairy arm, use two swabs to make sure the entire surface is sanitized.
Step 2. Choose a clean disposable needle
Get one of the right caliber based on the patient's build. Make sure it is still sealed before administering the drug to limit the spread of disease.
- For an adult weighing at least 60 kg you can use a 2.5-3.8 cm needle. These values correspond to a standard 22 or 25 gauge needle.
- If you have to give the vaccine to a child or adult who weighs less than 60 kg, then you should use a 1.6 cm needle. When using a small needle, remember to stretch the skin well.
Step 3. Attach the needle to a new syringe
Once you have chosen the right size needle in relation to the patient, you can insert it on the syringe that you will fill with the vaccine. Also in this case remember that the syringe must be new and disposable in order not to spread bacteria or diseases.
Step 4. Fill the syringe with the flu shot
Take a vial of product and fill the syringe with the correct dose for the patient. The dosage is determined by the age of the person.
- Babies 6 to 35 months of age should receive 0.25ml of the vaccine.
- The dose of the product for patients over 35 months of age is 0.50 ml.
- Seniors who are 65 or older should receive 0.50ml of the trivalent vaccine.
- If you don't have 0.5ml syringes, you can use two 0.25ml syringes.
Step 5. Insert the needle into the patient's deltoid muscle
Grab this muscle between two fingers and keep it taut. Ask the person you are treating which is their dominant hand and administer the vaccine in the opposite arm to avoid pain.
- Locate the thickest part of the muscle that is above the armpit but below the acromial process (the top of the shoulder). Insert the needle into the skin at a 90 ° angle.
- If the patient is a child under the age of three, give the injection into the outer thigh, as the arm muscle does not yet have sufficient mass.
Step 6. Administer the vaccine until the syringe is empty
Make sure that all of the product has entered the patient's body, as the full dose is needed to protect it.
If you find that the patient is uncomfortable, try to calm or distract him by talking to him
Step 7. Remove the needle from the skin
Once the full dose of product has been injected, you can pull out the needle. Apply some pressure to the puncture site to minimize pain and cover the area with a band-aid if necessary.
- Tell the person that it is completely normal to feel a little pain and that they don't have to worry.
- Remember that you need to apply pressure as you pull the needle out.
- You may decide to protect the injection site with a patch if you notice blood leaking. This simple action usually reassures many patients.
Step 8. Record the vaccination in the subject's medical record or in the appropriate booklet
Remember to also write the date and place where the injection took place. The patient will need this information in the future and so will you if they continue to seek treatment by you. In doing so, the patient does not run the risk of taking excessive doses of the vaccine or exposing himself to it too much.
Step 9. If it is a baby, inform the parents that a second dose needs to be given
For children aged six months to eight years, a second dose of the vaccine may be required four months after the first dose is given. If your child has never been vaccinated or their medical history is unknown, or if they have not yet received at least two doses of the vaccine before 1 July 2015, they will need a second administration.
Step 10. Recommend him to inform you if any adverse effects occur
Remind them to watch out for any abnormal reactions such as fever, muscle aches, or allergic responses. Most of these negative effects go away on their own, but if the symptoms are severe or persistent, the patient needs to get back to you.
Make sure you have a protocol for emergency intervention in case the worst of reactions occur. In addition to all this, provide the patient with an emergency contact number
Part 3 of 3: Preventing the Flu
Step 1. Wash your hands often
One of the most effective techniques to prevent this infection is to wash your hands a lot. This simple action minimizes the spread of flu bacteria and viruses through contact with surfaces touched by many people.
- Use a mild soap and warm water to scrub your hands for 20 seconds.
- Alternatively, you can use an alcoholic sanitizer if you don't have soap and water available.
Step 2. When you need to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose
If you have the flu, and as a matter of normal courtesy, you should cover both your nose and mouth when you have a cough or sneeze. If possible, do it inside a handkerchief or in the crook of the elbow to avoid contaminating your hands.
- This behavior minimizes the risk of infecting those around you.
- Be sure to sanitize your hand properly after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
Step 3. Avoid crowded places
The flu is a very contagious disease and spreads rapidly in environments with many people. Avoid going to these places to reduce the risk of getting sick.
- Remember to wash your hands after touching anything in busy places like public transport handles.
- If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours to minimize the risk of infecting others.
Step 4. Disinfect shared environments and surfaces often
Germs proliferate very quickly in places like bathrooms or kitchen surfaces. By sanitizing and cleaning them often, you can limit the spread of the flu virus.
Advice
- Remember that you can give the flu shot in the form of a nasal spray to anyone between the ages of 2 and 49 who are not pregnant women.
- Don't forget to vaccinate yourself. People who work in healthcare are at high risk of contracting and spreading the flu if they don't get the vaccine.
