What Should Medical Professionals Do Before Administering a Vaccine?

Administering a vaccine is a routine medical procedure. Each year, doctors and nurses administer hundreds of millions of vaccines in the United States—from flu and hepatitis vaccines to vaccines for polio and malaria.

But, while administering a vaccine may be a routine medical procedure, there are several steps involved in the process. Taking all of the necessary steps is important, as this is the primary way that vaccine administrators can prevent vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. Unfortunately, while the vast majority of immunizations done in the United States are done properly, some aren’t—and, as a result, some vaccine recipients find themselves in need of a vaccine attorney.

4 Key Measures to Prevent Vaccine-Related Injuries and Illnesses

What can (and should) vaccine administrators do to prevent vaccine-related injuries and illnesses? Here are four key vaccination safety measures according to the Immunization Action Coalition’s Skills Checklist for Vaccine Administration:

1. Patient and Parent Education

Prior to administering a vaccine, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) advises that vaccine administrators should follow various procedures to ensure that they are administering the correct vaccine—and that administering the vaccine is safe for the patient based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. These procedures include:

• Explaining which vaccine will be administered as well as how and where the vaccine will be injected;
• Answering any questions the vaccine recipient (or the vaccine recipient’s parent) may have about the vaccine or the vaccination process;
• Verifying that the vaccine recipient (or the vaccine recipient’s parent) has received the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for the vaccine to be administered;
• Screening for any contraindications (i.e., a history of adverse reactions or certain health conditions); and,
• Reviewing comfort measures and aftercare instructions with the vaccine recipient (or the vaccine recipient’s parent).

2. Medical and Office Protocols

The IAC also instructs that vaccine administrators should follow various medical and office protocols. These protocols are designed both to prevent errors and adverse reactions and to ensure that vaccine recipients can obtain emergency care if necessary. For example, according to the IAC, all vaccine administrators should:

• Know the location of immunization and emergency protocols;
• Know the location of epinephrine, how to administer epinephrine and when it should be used (i.e., in the event of a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine);
• Maintain up-to-date CPR certification;
• Understand the importance of reporting needlestick injuries and maintaining a needlestick injury log; and,
• Know how to properly handle vaccines (i.e., maintaining vaccines at appropriate temperatures and avoiding exposure to light as necessary).

3. Vaccine Preparation

Before administering a vaccine, the vaccine administrator should ensure that the vaccine has been properly prepared. Here, the focus is on ensuring that the patient receives the correct vaccine and that the vaccine being administered is safe for use. According to the IAC, this involves taking steps such as:

• Checking the vial’s expiration date and double-checking its label and contents;
• Selecting the correct size needle for the type of injection (either intramuscular or subcutaneous) and for the patient’s age and weight;
• Maintaining aseptic technique throughout the process;
• Preparing the vaccine for administration according to the manufacturer’s instructions; and,
• Labeling each filled syringe or using a labeled tray to identify all vaccines.

4. Administering the Vaccine

After taking all of the necessary steps to adequately inform the vaccine recipient (or the vaccine recipient’s parent), ensure a safe vaccination environment, and prepare the vaccine for administration, then the doctor or nurse must follow a series of steps to properly administer the vaccine. As outlined by the IAC, these steps include:

• Correctly positioning the vaccine recipient;
• Correctly identifying the injection site based on the vaccine being administered;
• Identifying the appropriate “anatomic landmarks” for the type and location of the injection;  
• Controlling the vaccine recipient’s limb and inserting the needle quickly at the appropriate angle (90 degrees for intramuscular injections and 45 degrees for subcutaneous injections); and,
• Applying gentle pressure to the injection site for several seconds after removing the needle.

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. In order to effectively mitigate the risk of vaccine-related injuries, vaccine administrators must follow all of the IAC’s recommended procedures for safe vaccine administration. Unfortunately, even minor mistakes can have serious consequences. While mistakes are relatively rare, due to the number of vaccines administered in the U.S. annually, a significant number of vaccine recipients still experience unnecessary complications due to vaccination errors each year.

What if Your (or Your Child’s) Vaccine Administrator Makes a Mistake?

Due to the risk of complications from vaccination errors, it is important to monitor vaccine recipients’ symptoms following immunization. If a vaccine recipient exhibits symptoms of a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) or other vaccine-related injury, the recipient should obtain a diagnosis promptly.

For many CDC-recommended vaccines, SIRVA and other injuries caused by vaccination errors are covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). These injuries can lead to substantial costs; and, in some cases, they can have long-term consequences. The VICP provides a source of financial recovery for vaccine recipients and their families. Under the VICP, vaccine recipients and their families can obtain financial compensation for their current and future medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Seeking financial compensation under the VICP involves filing a claim with the government—it does not involve suing your vaccine provider. Additionally, if you have a claim, you can hire a vaccine attorney to represent you at no out-of-pocket cost. While some vaccine injury claims go to court, most successful claims settle, and your attorney can help you make informed decisions about how and when to resolve your claim under the VICP.  

Learn More from Vaccine Attorney Leah V. Durant

Would you like to know more about filing a VICP claim for a vaccination-related injury? If so, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with vaccine attorney Leah V. Durant, please call 202-800-1711 or tell us how we can reach you online today.

Leah Durant Bio

Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.