Page 1642 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

The trivalent influenza vaccine includes vaccination against

H1N1 and H3N2 strains (influenza A strains) and an influenza B strain.
Because the strain of influenza virus is different every year, vaccine
components may change. The vaccine is recommended for all
individuals unless a contraindication to receiving it exists.
a. The nasal spray (live) vaccine, if
available, is approved only for healthy
people ages 2 through 49.
b. The nasal spray vaccine is not approved
for pregnant women.
c. The flu shots (inactivated vaccine),
depending on the manufacturer, are
approved for children as young as 6
months of age and are safe for
pregnant women.
d. The nasal spray contains a live flu virus
that has been weakened to the point
that it cannot cause the flu; its
advantage is that it may elicit a
stronger immune response than the flu
shot in children who have never had
the flu or a flu vaccine before.
e. The disadvantage of the nasal spray is
that it may not be quite as protective as
the flu shot for older people who have
had the flu or flu vaccines before.
f. All individuals should receive an
influenza vaccine. High-priority
individuals include pregnant women;
household contacts and caregivers of
children younger than 6 months of age;
people ages 6 months to 24 years;
health care workers and emergency
medical personnel; and adults ages 25
to 64 with a chronic medical condition,
such as asthma, or a weakened
immune system, which increases the
risk of flu complications.

3. Contraindications and cautions

a. Contraindications of the inactivated
vaccine include hypersensitivity, active
infection, Guillain-Barré syndrome,
active febrile illness, and children
younger than 6 months.
b. Contraindications of the live attenuated
vaccine include age younger than 2

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