VACCINE ADMINISTRATION, LOCATION, AND TECHNIQUE A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS

WHERE TO FIND VACCINE INFORMATION  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention –  Immunization Action Coalition –  American Pharmacists Association –  NYS Board of Pharmacy –  Pharmacists Society of the State of New York –

WHAT DOES A PHARMACIST NEED TO DO TO BECOME AN IMMUNIZER?  Licensed and registered in NY  Provide evidence that an approved immunization course has been taken in the past 3 years  Currently certified in CPR or BLS (must be a live class – not virtual), as well as OSHA (federal)  Complete registration form and pay $100.00

WHAT VACCINES CAN PHARMACISTS ADMINISTER IN NY?  Influenza Vaccine  Pneumococcal Vaccine  Herpes Zoster Vaccine (as of 10/16/12)  Meningococcal Vaccine (as of 10/29/13)

ALWAYS REMEMBER ALWAYS REMEMBER  Wash you hands thoroughly/use hand sanitizer (wearing gloves is optional)  Make sure you have selected the correct vaccine (and the lot is not expired)  Always have a sharps container near.  Always be alert and know where the uncovered needle is pointing.  After injecting the vaccine, activate the syringe’s safety device  Dispose of sharps and other used materials.

ALWAYS REMEMBER  Have the patient seated (preferably in a chair with arms and no wheels). When standing is involved there is always the risk of becoming light-headed and falling.  Bleeding is a common occurrence. That is why we have a cotton swab ready for the patient to hold until a bandage is placed on the injection site.  Avoid entering skin that has scars, tattoos, or moles.  Do not “blow” on the skin where you are injecting.

ADMINISTERING AN IM INJECTION 1)Remove clothing to expose skin 2)Wipe the proposed injection site with an alcohol swab 3)Have patient relax and insert the needle at a 90º angle 4)Hub of the needle should touch skin 5)Inject vaccine solution and remove needle quickly 6)Activate syringe’s safety device 7)Dispose of syringe in sharps container. DO NOT RECAP 8)Hold a piece of cotton or gauze to injection site and tape it to patient 9)Wash hands

ADMINISTERING A SC INJECTION 1)Remove clothing to expose skin. 2)Wipe the proposed injection site with an alcohol swab 3)Have the patient relax 4)Pinch a fold of skin and insert needle at a 45º angle 5)When the needle enters it should be bevel-up 6)Inject vaccine solution and remove needle quickly 7)Activate syringe’s safety device 8)Dispose of syringe in sharps container DO NOT RECAP 9)Wash hands 10)***Cotton ball not necessary. Less chance of bleeding***

REMEMBER  Only pharmacists may administer immunizations in New York State. Pharmacy interns may not vaccinate in NYS

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A “TRUE” ALLERGY TO A VACCINE  Following vaccine administration, a true allergy usually begins within minutes to about an hour or so following the injection. Some common allergy presentation signs are: 1)Itching 2)Redness of the skin 3)Hives 4)Itchy Skin 5)Difficulty breathing 6)Unusual swelling  Following vaccine administration, the following may occur but are not considered a “true” allergy: 1)Fever 2)GI upset 3)Neurologic events (ie: seizure)

EPINEPHRINE  Used for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions

EPINEPHRINE  Must have multiple doses available at the site where you immunize.  DO NOT VACCINATE unless you have epinephrine at your site.  If the need arises to use epinephrine, doses can be repeated if necessary.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE 1)Call 911 2)Administer epinephrine 3)Perform CPR/BCLS