Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Flu vaccination, wrong one nearly given

54 replies

Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 09:05

My son has a medical condition which entitles him to a flu vaccination. Due to medication he takes he must have the inactive injection not the live nasal spray.
I took him last week and the HCA administering the vaccination told DS she was going to squirt it up his nose. I stopped her and asked her if that was the correct vaccine, she then read his notes and agreed he needed the injection.

AIBU to expect his medical notes to specify he is not to have the live vaccine or the HCA to have asked some questions first to determine the correct vaccination?

OP posts:
Original poster
Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 09:14

If DH had taken him he wouldn’t have known that DS wasn’t to have the live vaccine.

OP posts:
RunningFeisty · 03/12/2018 09:22

Why isn't your DH aware of his sons medical needs? Why is it only your responsibility? He's his parent too and should surely know these things.

itbemay · 03/12/2018 09:23

The HCA should have read the notes, but she's only human and mistakes happen. In this instance no mistake did actually happen so I'd say the HCA will learn from her almost mistake and check more closely in future. Glad it all worked out in the end.

LagunaBubbles · 03/12/2018 09:24

Your DH should know though surely?

Sirzy · 03/12/2018 09:25

Ds can’t have the nasal spray. But as for the vast majority of kids it is the norm to give the spray in my view it is the parents job to ensure that the right one is given.

I tell them at point of booking and if needed time of vaccine

Avegemitesandwich · 03/12/2018 09:26

If DH had taken him he wouldn’t have known that DS wasn’t to have the live vaccine.

What?! Why not?

Original poster
Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 09:28

RunningFeisty. DH wasn’t aware that there are two types of vaccine and only one is suitable. He would also trust a medical professional to give him the correct treatment. DH is aware now.

OP posts:
user1495884620 · 03/12/2018 09:30

Humans make mistakes which is why there should be systems in place to prevent them. It's the reason why you have to endlessly repeat your name and address to HCPs, it's all part of preventing human errors and ensuring the right treatment is administered to the right patient.

It could be that the HCP was going through their usual spiel but would have been triggered to double check which vaccine before it was administered. Or it could be a failure in the system. It's worth following up with the practice to ensure systems are in place to prevent this happening to anyone else.

londonrach · 03/12/2018 09:30

The person taking him should have known. Why didnt your dh not know as sounds like your ds has a complicated medical history. Most children have the nasal spray.

gemsparkle84 · 03/12/2018 09:31

Totally understand where you're coming from. I'm guessing your DS is immunocompromised. My DD age 2 suffers from a chronic condition meaning she can't have the live vaccine either and has to have the injection. While my DH takes lots and lots of responsibility for my daughter's condition I take main responsibility and know lots of minor details about smaller details like this. So even though the PP are completely missing the point, I totally understand why your DH wouldn't know this. The person who SHOULD know this however is the HCA/ nurse who was administering the vaccine. Smile

marvellousnightforamooncup · 03/12/2018 09:31

My son can't have the live one either. I have to take him to the GP myself because I don't trust mistakes not to happen at school. My DH doesn't deal with stuff like this and I doubt he'd know which vaccine ds needs. You have to be very careful.

Original poster
Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 09:32

DS was diagnosed this year, this is the first time he’s been eligible for a flu vaccination.

OP posts:
Avegemitesandwich · 03/12/2018 09:36

Surely your DH would have known in the context of your DSs medical history?

Original poster
Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 09:39

gemsparkle84, yes DS is immunosuppressed - 3 of the medications he’s on/taken in the past 3 months mean he can’t have the live vaccine. Thanks for understanding why DH wouldn’t know, like you I deal with the finer details.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 03/12/2018 09:41

But then if you are the parent who knows these things it’s your responsibility to ensure that anyone else who accompanies him knows key information.

Mistakes happen so it’s importnst that the person responsible (be that parent or the individual themselves) knows key information.

Bigonesmallone3 · 03/12/2018 09:44

A pregnant friend of mine was given the wrong vaccine instead of flu jab on the Friday and the following Monday they phoned and said we've given u the wrong injection u need to come back.. the one she was given is NOT recommended in pregnancy..

Original poster
Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 09:49

Sirzy that’s a lesson I have learnt this week.

OP posts:
bluefolder · 03/12/2018 09:55

The HCP should have known - this is a near miss event. I would politely contact the practice manager to confirm that they have been made aware of it and ask if you can see the results of the significant event analysis when it is carried out.

user1495884620 · 03/12/2018 09:56

It is also all very well saying that the patient or carer SHOULD know but not everyone has the knowledge or experience to fully understand or appreciate the implications of different treatments, and even if they do, they may not have the confidence to challenge an HCP.

Pippa12 · 03/12/2018 09:57

Not great admittedly, im sure the HCA was mortified. My daughter has long term condition. I find i have to take alot of responsibility for her care, so i would get used to this. I have accepted that health care professionals are busy with a large case load, meaning mistakes do happen. Not ideal but they are only human. Im more than sure you would have briefed your husband before he took him.

Its tough being a parent to a child with additional needs, unfortunately you need to be their educated advocate during all medical appts that aren't with his/her specialist teams. I am not saying this is ideal, its just the way it is Flowers

PeachCokeZero · 03/12/2018 09:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 10:01

bluefolder DS is going to have the injection this week, the HCA couldn’t administer it. Am going to speak to the nurse about their procedures.

OP posts:
Original poster
Darkbaptism · 03/12/2018 10:05

PeachCokeZero I wouldn’t have had the conversation with him as it wouldn’t have crossed my mind that he would be offered the wrong immunisation.

OP posts:
YankeeDad · 03/12/2018 10:05

Unfortunately medical mistakes happen all the time, usually minor but sometimes very serious given the specific circumstances.

I’m not a medical professional but have learned a bit about how healthcare systems work. It’s just bloody difficult for any person or system to capture all of the complex knowledge and evidence that exists, and then to properly apply it in every situation, especially when the professionals involved are often overworked, underpaid, stressed, and sleep-deprived.

For every medical appointment I attend, be it for myself or a family member, I’ve made it a habit to bring at minimum a summary of the issue and overall health situation, plus some prepared questions, and in certain situations a file of past clinic letters, diagnostic results, etc. It’s a lot of work but has made a significant difference in support of treatment quality.

RebeccaWindsor · 03/12/2018 10:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.