Flu season is here! With influenza
vaccinations beginning for the season, healthcare providers must remember to
follow proper safe injection practices when providing vaccinations. In 2015, a
nurse in New Jersey put patients at risk for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV
when she reused syringes on multiple patients at an employee influenza
vaccination clinic.
Healthcare providers administering vaccines should remember
these following CDC recommendations when setting up vaccination clinics:
1.
Draw up vaccines at the time of administration.
Do not draw up vaccines before arriving at the clinic.
2.
If available, try to use manufacturer-filled
syringes for large immunization clinics. Unused syringes should be discarded at
the end of the clinic day if the syringe’s cap has been removed or the needle
is attached.
3.
A single-dose vial contains one dose and should
be used one time for one patient.
4.
If drawing up doses from a multi-dose vial, do
not administer more doses than are listed and never use partial doses from two
or more vials to obtain a dose of vaccine.
5.
If a syringe or needle has been used, it must be
discarded and not reused, even if cleaned. One needle, one syringe, only one
time.
You can find more information and resources at the following
links:
·
CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/toolkit/storage-handling-toolkit.pdf
·
Injection Safety Materials: http://www.oneandonlycampaign.org/partner/colorado
If you have an upcoming training or would like a
guest speaker to present on injection safety, please contact
Alana Cilwick (303.692.2727) or alana.cilwick@state.co.us
Injection Safety Coordinator at CDPHE.
