Flu shot 2010-2011

Originally posted by roser13:

"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." "

This!

... I hope this thread helps you understand the nature of the flu vaccine. You can also read more information about it on the CDC website. Every provider receives and distributes the same flu vaccine (they may contain different amounts of thimerisol - but the virus strains are all identical). This is true for all immunizations, you can educate yourself prior to making an appointment for this or any other vaccine for you and/or your daughter.

To go along with what KaliRN and roser13 said, it is my understanding that last year's H1N1 strain was identified too late in the year to be included in last year's seasonal flu vaccine which is why a separate vaccine had to be produced. This year it's one of the strains included in the vaccine.

According to the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011_vac_selection.htm):

"How are the viruses selected to make flu vaccine?

The influenza (flu) viruses selected for inclusion in the seasonal flu vaccines are updated each year based information about which influenza virus strains are identified, how they are spreading, and how well current vaccine strains protect against newly identified strains. Currently, 130 national influenza centers in 101 countries conduct year-round surveillance for influenza and study influenza disease trends. These laboratories then send influenza viruses to the four World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Influenza located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC); London, United Kingdom (National Institute for Medical Research); Melbourne, Australia (Victoria Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory); Tokyo, Japan (National Institute for Infectious Diseases) for additional analyses. The seasonal flu vaccine is a trivalent vaccine (a three component vaccine) with each component selected to protect against one of the three main groups of influenza viruses circulating in humans. (Last year’s 2009 H1N1 vaccine was made in response to the pandemic first recognized in April 2009. Unlike seasonal flu vaccines, the pandemic vaccine protected against only one flu virus strain, the 2009 H1N1 virus.)

The three vaccine viruses are chosen to maximize the likelihood that the main circulating viruses during the upcoming flu season will be well covered by the vaccine. WHO recommends specific vaccine viruses for vaccine production, but then each individual country makes their own decision for licensing of vaccines in their country. In the United States, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines what viruses will be used in U.S.–licensed vaccines."

In other words, as mentioned above, you did receive the "plain old flu shot."

Thank you all for replying! This was a project for nursing school in our final few weeks. Yes I did review about the vaccine online before the season began! Not sure why but I don't recall seeing anything about the H1N1 being included. It was a thought but not a defnite. I know that there are usually 3 vaccines combined into this one the main one being whichever influenza they think is going to be the main concern for the season. Non the less it is still important to educate our patients about what medications they are recieving. It is the patient's responsibility as well to be educated but a nurse has more knowledge and should be implementing teaching for the patient. And no I did not recieve a VIS or have to sign a consent. This is the only place in the area that offers vaccines and I have no other choice. Sorry! I think a few of you should quite thinking it is all the patients responsibility here. You went to school and chose this profession so step up to the plate and do your job!!!!

After hearing that, I will be passing on getting the flu shot this year. Thanks for the info

You went to school and chose this profession so step up to the plate and do your job!!!!

:lol2::lol2:

"Sorry! I think a few of you should quite thinking it is all the patients responsibility here. You went to school and chose this profession so step up to the plate and do your job!!!! ''

OP, I think you're still missing the point. A flu shot is a flu shot. You knew that it contained 3 viruses that were chosen by the CDC. By opting to take the vaccine, you implied consent to the CDC's choices. Prior to the publicity of H1N1, I doubt that you ever even thought to ask about the content of the vaccine.

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.

Are you speaking for every place that gives the shot? I received mine at work. No VIS, no form given, nothing to read or sign. I was asked if I wanted a flu shot, said yeah, and the next thing I knew the needle was in my arm. Then I had to sign a log book stating I had received the shot and would not hold the hospital or the county accountable if my arm fell off or I had any other pesky side effects.

Well, now you know for next time- research any medication before you consent to it!

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

Sorry if this has been previously quoted. I mean no offense to the OP whom I assume as an adult is new to the whole vaccination process in health care. I had to sign consent for every vaccine I've ever received. I assumed it was standard across the board... but possibly it is policy in the vaccination area you recieve it? Unlikely because there are inherent risks, although small (but life threatening if you get them), which is why I assumed consent was required.

Are there others being vaccinated without being provided the information form and signing they have read it? I'm calling that the consent form. Just didn't know that it might be possible to receive the vaccine with out signing the form.

Chime in if you're vaccinated without it please, just interest on how policy differs. Just assumed it was a standard.

Look, this isn't a thread about to get the shot or not and I don't intent to distract it to be so. Just wanted to share that last year given the option I was way too freaked out to get the seperate H1N1. We lost three people in their 40's on oscillators to H1N1... and I wasn't protected, nor was my family.

IMHO and just food for thought as to me and my own thought process (not on anyone else). This year, still not recovered from loosing young folks with babies to H1N1, I'm getting the vaccine because I'm high risk in the ICU. I simply can't imagine passing a germ on to the family and loosing one of them because I wasn't protected.

No preaching at all intended, but need to add to circle the bandwagon, that I'm not demanded at work to be vaccinated, I understand what this years flu vaccine covers as well as the risks. I make a well informed decision based upon what the CDC says, and what I've really seen. As long as we have the real knowledge as to our own personal risks, provided on that form, from there we can make an informed decision.

There have been several comments that the OP and others should know what is being injected into them and I whole-heartly agree, It's an individual choice, but please be very informed before saying yes or no for yourself and pass that info on to your patients so they can be protected if they choose. I think the masses just want excellent patient education to choose wisely. IMHO>

Sorry if this has been previously quoted. I mean no offense to the OP whom I assume as an adult is new to the whole vaccination process in health care. I had to sign consent for every vaccine I've ever received. I assumed it was standard across the board... but possibly it is policy in the vaccination area you recieve it? Unlikely because there are inherent risks, although small (but life threatening if you get them), which is why I assumed consent was required.

Are there others being vaccinated without being provided the information form and signing they have read it? I'm calling that the consent form. Just didn't know that it might be possible to receive the vaccine with out signing the form.

Chime in if you're vaccinated without it please, just interest on how policy differs. Just assumed it was a standard.

ZooKeeper, I am the OP to this comment and over the years as a RN and as a student getting my required/recommended vaccines have never signed anything or received a VIS that includes flu, Hep B, PPD, booster shots etc..I have received different vaccines from different places; many of which were not my employer. I thought in my area it was common for adults.. Maybe it is because of my background IDK. I have signed for all my children and received the VIS but never for myself..The two times I had the vaccine at the hospital, I signed the employee roster stating I got it; received two tylenol and on my way I went..