Flu shot 2010-2011

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As a nursing student I am trying to educate myself about medications, vaccinations, procedures, etc. So I was shocked to find out after I had recieved my yearly flu shot that they have combined it with the H1N1 vaccine as well. Going in to get myself and my daughter our shots I thought we were recieving the plain old flu shot but little did I know! After going to clinical that afternoon I was informed by a hospital employee that the shot included the H1N1 vaccine. I was actually kind of upset about this and still am to a certain degree. As a soon to be nurse and a patient in this situation I know it is important to give informed consent which means on behalf of the RN who gave my shot she slacked in her job. She never made me aware or even brought it to my attention. I am wondering how you all feel about this?

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

For years the flu shot included both influenza A/H1N1 and B/seasonal. This year the flu shot includes 3 strains.. influenza A/H1N1, AH3N2 and influenza B.

I really don't feel anything about it because I have known the H1N1 was a part of the regular flu shot. This year they just added the 3rd strain to protect us against the H1N1 from last year.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Did you receive a VIS at the time of your flu shot? Because it clearly states that H1N1 is included in this years vaccine.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

You say that you're trying to educate yourself on meds, vaccines, etc.....Did you not educate yourself on the flu vaccine before going to your flu shot? It's also your responsibility to be pro-active with your own health and always ask questions! Myself, I tell my pts that this years flu shot contains the h1n1, but not all nurses do.

To add/edit my post:

A lot of times I'll have pts that have no clue as to what pills they're swallowing, I'll name out the meds as I'm giving them and sometimes the pt will say "I don't know what Im taking, I just take it". So always know what you're putting in your mouth, and know what's being injected into your arm. Be very proactive with your own health care. KWIM?

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Emergency.

I think it's great that they've combined the two vaccines into one so that everyone only has to get stuck once!

If your nurse informed you that you were receiving the flu shot and screened you appropriately for contraindications, she did her job. It's nice to add that it already includes H1N1 since some patients are probably wondering when that vaccine will be released this year, but I don't think our job is to inform patients of every component in a medication. (For example, I tell patients "this pill is called Midrin, and it's to help with your headache." I don't include "It's composed of Acetaminophen, Isometheptene, and Dichloralphenazone" because that's not really relevant to patient education.)

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I knew it was included prior to getting the vaccine. Its been all over the news, internet, my Dr told me earlier in the year, its on display at the CVS where I fill my families prescriptions, and my friends, coworkers, and families have talked about it. No way I could have missed it.

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Specializes in Oncology.

H1N1 was just one of the viruses selected to be in this year's vaccine. Every year they select different viruses. Did you know which viruses were in your shot last year? Were you shocked to find out that an H3N2 virus was included in this year's flu vaccine? Would you expect the nurse to tell you that that was in there? It's no different from any other seasonal influenza vaccine, that's just one of the viruses used to make it.

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Didn't you have to sign a consent? The one I signed clearly stated it was a combined vaccine.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.
Didn't you have to sign a consent? The one I signed clearly stated it was a combined vaccine.

Wow, I have never signed a consent for a vaccine.. Interesting

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You should have received a VIS, and it is your responsibility to read it and ask questions. There is a form you signed before receiving your shot that stated that you had received and read the VIS. It is our own responsibility to know what meds we are taking and why... I teach this to patients frequently, and it is always refreshing to have a Pt that knows what meds they take and why. :idea:

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
it is always refreshing to have a Pt that knows what meds they take and why. :idea:

Yes! Great post!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

H1N1 is no more or less important than any other aggressive strain of influenza - it's just had tons more publicity. Can you name the other strains of virus against which your annual flu vaccine has protected you in the last 5 years?

In any given year, the influenza vaccine consists of the CDC's best guess at the pandemic potential of any current virus - this year, it happened to include H1N1. From any perspective, you were given the "plain old flu vaccine."

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