I am a practice nurse. For how long should I observe patients after immunisation?

The Department of Health guidance on this issue does not state a specific time (see Green Book 2006 guidance) but does not recommend long periods of observation. The risk of severe life-threatening reactions after immunisation is extremely small. This rate in the UK (approximately one per million vaccine doses) is similar to that reported from other countries (Bohlke K, Davis RL, Marcy SM, Braun MM, DeStefano F, Black SB, et al. Risk of anaphylaxis after vaccination of children and adolescents. Pediatrics 2003;112(4):815-20). Based on the information available a short period of observation (5-10 minutes) should be used to detect immediate problems. Patients (and carers) should be provided with advice on possible local and systemic reactions and what to do if they occur. Immunisation against infectious disease. The Green Book 2006, Department of Health states: [Chapter 4, Immunisation procedures]: Recipients of any vaccine should be observed for immediate ADRs. There is no evidence to ...  more