By : Ahmad Q.

Alnassrawy Community health nursing

Student guide for vaccine unite department
2023-2024 College of nursing

A vaccine is a biological preparationthat provides active acquired immunity to a

particular infectious or malignant disease.
The agent stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the agent as a threat,
destroy it, and recognize further and destroy any of the microorganisms associated
with that agent that it may encounter in the future.
The administration of vaccines is called vaccination. Vaccination is the most
effective method of preventing infectious diseases.

Common side effects of vaccines:

1. Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site.

2. Fatigue and weakness.
3. Headache.
4. Muscle or joint pain.
5. Mild fever.
6. Gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
7. Swelling or tenderness in the lymph nodes.

These symptoms typically resolve within a few days after vaccination and are signs
that your immune system is responding to the vaccine. In most cases, the benefits of
vaccination outweigh the risks of these temporary side effects.

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 By : Ahmad Q. Alnassrawy Community health nursing
Student guide for vaccine unite department
2023-2024 College of nursing

The main five types of vaccine :

Contraindications of vaccination :
A severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to a vaccine component is a
contraindication to any vaccine containing that component, and a severe allergy
following a dose of vaccine is a contraindication to subsequent doses of that vaccine.
Severe immunosuppression is a contraindication to live, attenuated vaccines.

False Contraindications in Administration of Vaccines :

Conditions listed below are not contraindications to vaccination; children with these
conditions should be vaccinated with all recommended vaccines:
1-Mild illness within temperature less than (38°C).
2-Previous history of neonatal jaundice.
3-Low body weight in an otherwise healthy child.
4-Children under treatment with antibiotics.
5-Premature baby (vaccination should be continued and can be given if the infant is
medically stable).
6-Family history of adverse events following vaccination.
7-Family history of seizures, convulsions, or fits.

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 By : Ahmad Q. Alnassrawy Community health nursing
Student guide for vaccine unite department
2023-2024 College of nursing

8-Any stable neurological conditions including cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
9-Child to be vaccinated is being breastfed.
10-Contact with an infectious disease.
11-Asthma, Eczema.

Auto-Disable Syringes: Auto-disable (AD) syringes are self-locking syringes that

can be used only once at dose (0.05 and 0.5 ml), in order to give the correct dose by
nurses to the vaccinated child

Vaccine storage conditions:

1.Frozen Sensitive Vaccines: Require storage at ultra-low temperatures to maintain
stability, such as mRNA vaccines (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech), storage in 2 to 8 c.
2.Heat Sensitive Vaccines: Vulnerable to high temperatures, needing controlled
storage to prevent degradation, like live attenuated vaccines (e.g., MMR), storage in
-2 to -8c.
3.Oxygen Sensitivity: Susceptible to degradation from oxygen exposure,
necessitating special packaging or storage methods to maintain stability.
4. Pressure Sensitive Vaccines: Pressure-sensitive vaccines may be adversely
affected by changes in pressure, particularly during transportation or storage.
5. Photos sensitive : storage away from light and into dark containers.

Nursing management steps for vaccine side effects after administration:

1. Assessment: Monitor the patient for immediate and delayed side effects post-
vaccination.
2. Education: Provide information to the patient about common side effects and
when to seek medical attention.
3. Comfort Measures: Offer reassurance and provide comfort measures for common
side effects like pain at the injection site, fever, or fatigue.
4. Documentation: Accurately document the vaccine administration, including any
adverse reactions and interventions provided.
5. Medication Administration: Administer medications as prescribed for managing
side effects, such as antipyretics for fever or analgesics for pain.
6. Follow-up: Schedule follow-up appointments or assessments as needed,
especially for severe or persistent side effects.
7. Reporting: Report any serious or unexpected adverse events to the appropriate
health authorities per institutional protocols.
8. Patient Counseling: Offer counseling and support to address concerns or anxieties
about vaccine side effects.

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 By : Ahmad Q. Alnassrawy Community health nursing
Student guide for vaccine unite department
2023-2024 College of nursing

9. Observation: Observe for signs of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis and initiate

appropriate emergency measures if necessary.
10. Collaboration: Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including
physicians and pharmacists, to ensure comprehensive care for the patient.

Notes :
1.MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella):
• The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against measles,
mumps, and rubella viruses. It is typically administered in two doses, with the
first dose given around 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose between
4 to 6 years of age.

2. BCG Vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin):

• The BCG vaccine is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB). It
contains a weakened strain of the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis, which
provides immunity against TB in children. It is often given at birth or during
infancy in countries where TB is prevalent, given in first 24 hours until one
year , it’s contraindication for Eczema clients.

3. DTP Vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis):

• The DTP vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria,
tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is commonly administered in a
series of five doses during infancy and childhood, with booster doses
recommended throughout adolescence and adulthood.

4. Rotavirus Vaccine:
• Rotavirus vaccine protects against rotavirus infection, which is a leading
cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Rotavirus
can cause dehydration and lead to hospitalization, especially in infants and
young children. The vaccine is typically administered orally and is given in a
series of doses.
There are two main types of rotavirus vaccines:
1. Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral (Rotarix): This vaccine is administered in
two doses, usually at 2 and 4 months of age.
2. Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral (RotaTeq): This vaccine is given in three
doses, typically at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.

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 By : Ahmad Q. Alnassrawy Community health nursing
Student guide for vaccine unite department
2023-2024 College of nursing

5. Penta vaccine :
• Pentavalent vaccine provides protection to a child from 5 life-threatening
diseases – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and HIB.
6. Tenta vaccine :
• provides protection to a child from 4 life-threatening diseases – Diphtheria,
Pertussis, Tetanus and HIB.

7. Tetanus vaccine : should be given for adult female in 15 years old or above , for
pregnant women in 4th month of pregnancy to protect from tetanus bacteria infection.

Types of immunity:

1.Innate Immunity:
❖ Present at birth.
❖ Provides immediate, nonspecific defense against pathogens.
❖ Includes physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes, as well as
cellular defenses like phagocytes and natural killer cells.

2.Adaptive Immunity:
❖ Acquired throughout life.
❖ Specific defense against particular pathogens.

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 By : Ahmad Q. Alnassrawy Community health nursing
Student guide for vaccine unite department
2023-2024 College of nursing

❖ Consists of humoral immunity (mediated by antibodies) and cell-mediated

immunity (involving T cells).

3.Active Immunity:
❖ Resulting from the body’s own immune response.
❖ Can be natural (after infection) or artificial (through vaccination).

4.Passive Immunity:
❖ Temporary immunity conferred by transfer of pre-formed antibodies.
❖ Can be natural (from mother to fetus through placenta or breast milk) or
artificial (through injection of antibodies).

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 By : Ahmad Q. Alnassrawy Community health nursing
Student guide for vaccine unite department
2023-2024 College of nursing

Vaccine schedules in countries are typically based on age groups that are
susceptible to communicable diseases, as well as on prevalent infections and
diseases in specific areas. That's why you see variations and differences in vaccine
schedules from one country to another.

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