Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Public Health Nursing (PHN)

ADMINISTERING YELLOW FEVER VACCINE AT A CHILD WELFARE CLINIC (CWC)

This is an activity carried out by the Public/Community health nurse at CWC to give a live attenuated vaccine (yellow fever) to a child. The vaccine is given as single dose subcutaneously at 9 months or older.

Purpose

  • Protect children from 9 months and above from yellow fever disease
  • Achieve herd immunity amongst children from 9 months
  • Educate mothers and caregivers on the need to immunize their children
  • Educate mothers and caregivers that yellow fever has no cure hence the need for vaccination

Indications

  • Client requires yellow fever vaccine at child welfare clinic (cwc) assessment or care.

Equipment

  • Furniture which includes chairs, tables, bulletin board
  • Tablecloth
  • Two (2) registers, one for registration of children under one (1) year and the other for children above one year
  • Attendance book
  • Immunization tally sheets
  • Maternal and child health record book
  • Syringes and needles/solo shot
  • Immunization tray containing gallipots, kidney dish, dissecting forceps, artery forceps, scissors
  • Sterile cotton wool swabs in a closed drum
  • Safety box for sharps
  • Vaccine carrier containing vaccines/cold box
  • A flask containing ice cubes
  • Cheatle forceps
  • Hand washing facilities- veronica bucket, plastic bowls, soap in a dish, hand towels
  • Medication for treatment of minor ailments such as paracetamol syrup
  • Electronic/manual visual aids for education
  • Blue and red pens, pencils, eraser and rule

Preparation

  • Review client records and history.
  • Gather necessary equipment and supplies.
  • Plan the visit timing and logistics.

Procedure steps

  • Establish rapport and ask about general health or the health of the baby
  • Find out from mother the type of immunization the child has had
  • Look at the child’s health record book and check on which vaccine to give
  • Explain the procedure to the mother/caregiver
  • Explain any side effect to mother/caregiver and discuss with her what she can do about them
  • Ask mother/caregiver for feedback
  • Show mother/caregiver how to hold the child and wash hands with appropriate technique
  • Check Vaccine Vial Monitor VVM and expiry date of vaccine and draw 0.5ml
  • Clean the outer middle part of the right upper arm with damp cotton wool and discard it
  • Hold the part tightly between the thumb and forefinger of left hand and gently push the needle deep into the muscle at an angle of 90˚/45˚
  • Remove and discard solo shot after injecting vaccine, press the area with dry clean cotton wool ball and discard
  • Tell mother/caregiver not to apply anything to the site but to give baby paracetamol syrup according to age in case of fever
  • Commend the mother/caregiver for bringing her child for Immunization
  • Wash hands with appropriate technique
  • Record and report findings manually/electronically

Precautions

  • Maintain infection prevention and control measures throughout.
  • Respect client privacy and confidentiality.
  • Ensure cultural sensitivity and dignity.
  • Refer or escalate when complications arise.

Aftercare

  • Evaluate client response to interventions.
  • Schedule follow-up as needed.
  • Ensure client understands care plan.

Nursing considerations

  • Adapt care to client's unique circumstances.
  • Involve family members as appropriate.
  • Consider social determinants of health.

Patient education

  • Provide condition-specific health education.
  • Teach self-care strategies where applicable.
  • Reinforce importance of follow-up.

Documentation

  • Record all assessments and findings.
  • Document interventions provided.
  • Note client education given.
  • Report any referrals made.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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