DPR 225/74 stated that, the professional nurse had the competence to administer vaccines orally, intramuscularly, and percutaneously, upon prescription and under the supervision of the physician. DPR 225/74 also established that it was up to the health assistant or nurse "to receive patients in the various services and collect the medical history.
Law 42/99 eliminated the DPR 225/74 establishing that the competences of each profession are defined by the professional profile, the code of ethics, and the educational regulations.
DM 739/94, our professional profile, in art. 1, paragraph 2, states that preventive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative nursing care is based on technical, relational, and educational skills.
Referring to the regulations governing the professional practice of nursing, it can be deduced that vaccination practice, as a healthcare and preventive act, is an integral part of the nurse's competences, being a healthcare activity not reserved for physicians.
Before carrying out the vaccination, the healthcare professional (Nurse, health assistant, or Physician) must check the clinical history of the person concerned, or of the parents if it is a minor. If the pre-vaccination medical history has excluded any contraindications or concerns, vaccination can proceed.
If, on the other hand, a problem or concern emerges in the medical history, the physician must be involved, present in the facility and easily reachable (hopefully).
The physician will then assess whether or not it is appropriate to vaccinate the citizen, the child. Everything is recorded on the vaccination card. The pre-vaccination medical history must be signed by the healthcare professional who performs it.
According to the regulations, it can be deduced that vaccination is a healthcare activity, and can also be performed by non-medical personnel, provided they are adequately trained and authorized.
However, the physician must always be available on site to intervene in case of complications or emergencies related to the administration of the vaccine and to report any adverse events.
LapaginadiNursingUp
Vincenzo Parisi
