NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2018 - 7

WINTER/ SPRING 2018

Feature

Q? What sites are appropriate

XCEPTING FOR PUBLIC SANITATION, FEWER THINGS
HAVE HAD A GREATER IMPACT ON GLOBAL HEALTH THAN
IMMUNIZATIONS. The benefits and harms of individual

for the administration of adult
vaccinations? 3

vaccines have been hotly debated over the past several decades.

For adults age 19 years and older, the deltoid muscle (upper
arm) is preferred for routine intramuscular vaccinations. The
outside of the thigh also can be used.

However, after careful review of the available medical literature it
is my considered opinion that vaccines are generally not harmful
and are not the cause of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders.
Having said that, however, vaccinations are not without their side

Q? Can I get more than one vaccine
on the same day? 4,9

effects and potential harms. It is not my intent to review current
recommendations for adult immunizations, which can be found

According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), adult patients can safely receive any combination
of inactivated or live vaccines during a single visit without any
reduced vaccine efficacy or major risk of increased side effects.
It is commonly believed that a patient cannot receive two live
vaccines such as zoster, varicella, and MMR at the same time. This
is a false belief, though, as they can safely be given at the same
visit. However, if the two live vaccines cannot be administered
during the same visit, they should be separated by a period of
no less than thirty days between each injection. It is important to note that inactivated vaccines such as influenza, Tdap,
and pneumococcal can be administered without any timeline
restrictions. Each vaccine should be administered in separate
areas of either arm.

directly on the CDC website, but rather share some frequently
encountered questions about immunizations.

Q? Can I get the flu from a flu shot?1
No, but every vaccine has the potential of causing adverse
effects. Commonly associated side effects of the flu vaccine
are: injection site reaction (up to 64%), myalgias (up to 34%),
fatigue (up to 21%), malaise (up to 27%) and fever (up to 11%).
These symptoms can persist for several days after receiving the
vaccine and patients may mistake these adverse effects for an
actual influenza infection, especially since the symptoms of both
are quite similar.

Q? Can you get the flu vaccine if you

have a documented history of an
egg allergy? 5,9

Q? Is there an ideal time to get

vaccinated?

Yes, even patients with a documented history of an egg allergy
are recommended to receive a yearly influenza vaccine. Patients
who experienced a moderate allergic reaction defined as production of hives can receive either the inactivated influenza
vaccine (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) without
any required extra precautions compared to a patient without an
egg allergy. Patients who experienced a severe allergic reaction
(angioedema, respiratory distress, lightheadedness, recurrent
vomiting, or required administration of epinephrine or another
medical intervention) can be given either the IIV or RIV in the
presence of a healthcare professional who is able to recognize
and manage severe allergic conditions.

Getting the vaccine at a time where the possible adverse
effects will not negatively impact any travel plans or dates of
importance is ideal.

Q? Can a vaccine accidently get

injected into my blood instead of
my muscle or fat? 2,9
No. There are no large blood vessels in the recommended
injection areas.
N E PA

VITAL SIGNS

NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2018