Do people who receive the flu vaccine need to wait 15 minutes before leaving the area to be sure they do not have side effects?
It is a good idea and encourage flu vaccine recipients to do so, if at all possible. The recommendation is probably more important for those patients who have had previous problems following a vaccination. Some patients are chronic “fainters,” and should be encouraged to wait in a safe location after treatment. They usually know who they are! Those receiving a vaccination for the first time should also be encouraged to wait nearby in a safe location for 15 minutes as a precautionary measure. The advice from General Recommendations on Immunizations: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. December 1, 2006/55 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5515a1.htm* is: “Syncope (vasovagal or vasodepressor reaction) can occur after vaccination, most commonly among adolescents and young adults. During 1990–2004, a total of 3,168 reports to Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (vaers) were coded as syncope; 35% of these episodes were reported among
