How to Administer a Flu Injection
With the constant fear of the flu on people's minds, it is important for people to get the necessary flu shots. The Centers for Disease Control states that getting the seasonal influenza vaccine is an effective way to limit the number of people who die each year from the flu. Health professionals have a specific set of rules on how to administer a flu injection.
Things You'll Need
- 1 1.5 inch, 22-gauge needle and syringe
- Alcohol swab
- 0.5 mL dosage of influenza vaccine
- Gauze
- Bandage
Instructions
-
-
1
Stretch the skin where you are going to inject the vaccine using your thumb and index finger. This will cause less pain to the individual.
-
2
Gently rub over the area with an alcohol swab to guarantee that the entire injection site is clean. Swab for at least 10 seconds.
-
-
3
Fill the syringe with 0.5 mL of the vaccine; do this slowly to ensure that no air bubbles get into it. Tap the side if there are any air bubbles and squeeze out a tiny amount to ensure that there are no bubbles. Air bubbles are dangerous and could cause cause a stroke or infarction.
-
4
Insert the needle at no more than a 90-degree angle into the deltoid muscle (shoulder) of an adult.
-
5
Inject the vaccine, at a slow, steady flow rate. Remove the needle and apply a piece of gauze over the injection site, having the patient hold it.
-
6
Discard the needle into a bio-hazard waste receptacle. Bandage the injection site. Update the patient's immunization records.
-
1
