Question

Which of the following is an appropriate screening question prior to receiving an influenza vaccination?

A) Have you ever had the flu before?
B) Are you allergic to peanuts?
C) Have you traveled outside the country recently?
D) Do you prefer hot or cold beverages?

Answer 1

The appropriate screening question before an influenza vaccination would be about allergies, as some flu vaccines are made using egg products. New vaccines are developed annually due to the flu virus's rapid mutations. Vaccination is crucial for controlling influenza outbreaks.

Step-by-step explanation:

An appropriate screening question prior to receiving an influenza vaccination would be: B) Are you allergic to peanuts? This question is relevant because some vaccines are manufactured using egg products, and individuals with certain allergies, including those to eggs or chicken, may have a higher risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. Although peanuts are not directly related to egg allergies, inquiring about severe allergies in general is important for vaccine safety.

New influenza vaccines are developed each year due to the rapid mutation of the flu virus through processes known as antigenic drift and antigenic shift. These mutations can render previous vaccines ineffective, necessitating the creation of updated vaccines to combat the currently circulating strains. Influenza can cause severe health issues, such as viral pneumonia, especially in very young individuals, thus vaccination is recommended annually.

The effectiveness of the vaccines can vary each year, but most influenza vaccines over the past decade have had an effectiveness of about 50%. Vaccination, alongside antiviral drugs like inhaled zanamivir, oral oseltamivir, and intravenous peramivir, is a crucial strategy in controlling influenza outbreaks.