Mom concerned about Flu Vaccine

Casebank Counselling
1

Where are you:
FY2 in GP surgery

Who the patient is:
Mrs Danielle Smith wants to talk to you about her son who is 3 years old and is due for the flu vaccine in a week’s time.

Other information about the patient:
None

What you must do:
Talk to her and address her concerns.

Patient information:

  • Child is up to date with all immunization
  • I want to know about this vaccine
  • I am scared about the vaccine
  • One of your neighbours’ children had a flu vaccine and developed a fit after one month.

Questions:

  • Is it good for my children?
  • Can flu vaccine cause a fit?
  • I heard you can get influenza after a flu vaccine
  • Can a child catch a flu from flu vaccine?
  • What are the side effects of flu vaccine?
  • Will the child get sick afterwards?
  • Is it compulsory to have it?
  • How will I differentiate the side effects of vaccine from the flu?

Comments: I will think about it.

Emotions and attitudes: You are worried initially.

Approach

  • GRIPS
  • Establishes reasons for visit
  • Takes history
  • Current condition of the child:
  • Is she well?
  • Any fever or flu (coryzal) symptoms
  • Any diarrhea or vomiting, UTI
  • Birth history
  • Vaccination history
  • Development history
  • Past medical history
  • Drug history
  • Allergies
  • Social history

Rule out contraindications

  • Severe asthma
  • Allergy to neomycin or eggs
  • Low immune system

Concerns: Is there anything you’re worried about?

Explain flu vaccine

  • Single dose in each nostril offered between 2-3 yeas
  • Completely safe
  • Child needs only single dose
  • It will prevent flu
  • If the child has flu currently flu vaccine can be delayed.
  • These symptoms are usually mild compared to a normal flu infection.
  • Flu vaccine is a virus that has been weakened.
  • It Is very weak, it cannot cause severe infection and it cannot multiply in the body.
  • You can pass it to other people.
  • If the symptoms become troublesome you can simply comeback.

Side effects of vaccine include:

  • runny or blocked nose
  • headache
  • general tiredness
  • loss of appetite

Explains complications of flu if not vaccinated.

  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis
  • Ear infections

  • Offers leaflets
  • What do you think about what we have discussed?
  • Do you feel comfortable now to flu vaccination?