Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding contraindications to receive flu vaccine as follows:
- Children younger than 6 months are not approved to receive flu shots. Children younger than 2 years of age and individuals aged 50 years & older are not approved to receive nasal flu vaccine. Individuals younger than 18 years of age could not receive recombinant flu vaccine. Individuals younger than 65 years of age could not receive high dose or adjuvant flu vaccines.
- Individuals with history of severe life-threatening allergic reactions to egg protein are contraindicated for receiving flu vaccines, as most of the flu vaccines contain small amounts of egg protein. Individuals with history of severe life-threatening allergic reactions to any other ingredients of flu vaccines or a previous receipt of flu vaccine are also contraindicated for receiving the vaccine. These individuals can check with their physician regarding forms of flu vaccine they could possibly receive, other than the one they are allergic to.
- Any individual receiving the nasal spray vaccine could present with side-effects of runny nose, cough, sore throat and could potentially be at risk for secondary bacterial respiratory infections. Individuals caring for severely immunocompromised patients are at risk for transmitting these infections to the vulnerable ones, thus endangering their life. So, individuals who closely care for severely immunocompromised patients are recommended against receiving the nasal spray flu vaccine. They could also choose to avoid contact with the vulnerable ones for one week after receiving the nasal spray vaccine or until they are clear of any side-effects of the vaccine/symptoms of respiratory infection.
