Technically Speaking: Want to Avoid Vaccination Errors? These Print Materials and Slide Sets Will Help You!

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) receives hundreds of emails and phone calls from healthcare professionals each month, many of which describe medical errors related to vaccination. Unfortunately, the availability of more vaccine products and an increasingly complex immunization schedule increase the likelihood of errors.

Over the past four years, IAC received more than 1,500 questions about medical errors related to vaccination, including errors in vaccine storage and handling, administration, scheduling and documentation. Commonly reported errors include violations of minimum intervals and age, incorrect scheduling of live virus vaccines, administration of the wrong vaccine (or one not recommended/licensed for use in the patient), providing a pediatric dose to an adult or vice versa, using the wrong route or site for administration, and using expired or improperly reconstituted vaccine.

The result of such errors can be serious, including harm to the vaccinee from a side effect, inadequate disease protection, inconvenience to the parent/patient, unreimbursed cost to the provider, possible feelings of ill will or loss of trust in the provider, and possible negative media publicity. Avoiding such errors benefits everyone. Fortunately, there are many resources to help you avoid vaccination errors, including the following:

IAC ready-to-print educational materials (CDC-reviewed)

• Don’t Be Guilty of These Preventable Errors in Vaccine Administration! — A four-page piece that describes common errors, how to prevent them, and what to do if they occur. Also provides helpful resources for avoiding each type of error.
• Don’t Be Guilty of These Preventable Errors in Vaccine Handling and Storage! — A three-page piece that describes how to properly store, monitor and handle all types of vaccines to maintain their viability and safety.

See all IAC ready-to-print educational materials on the following topics: (CDC-reviewed)

• Administering Vaccines
• Storage and Handling of Vaccines
• Documenting Vaccinations
• Screening Checklists for Vaccination
• View All IAC Educational Materials

IAC slide sets for your review or use when giving presentations

• Resources to Help Healthcare Providers Prevent Vaccination Errors (PDF format) — 43 slides that include links to many useful resources that can help prevent errors in vaccine storage and handling, administration, scheduling and documentation from IAC, CDC, California's VFC program and others.
  
  To order this slide set in PowerPoint format, visit IAC’s PowerPoint webpage.
• To Err is Human; Not to Err Is Better! (PDF format) — 69 slides that describe types of vaccination errors (with specific examples), ways to prevent such errors, and what to do if they occur.
  
  To order this slide set in PowerPoint format, visit IAC’s PowerPoint web page.
• The Importance of Minimum Ages and Intervals in the Vaccine Schedule  (PDF format) — 46 slides that focus on scheduling and the most commonly reported source of vaccination errors. Provides information on how to avoid giving a vaccine before the minimum age or interval, and what to do when you do.
  
  To order this slide set in PowerPoint format, visit IAC’s PowerPoint webpage.