When preparing to administer a vaccine, what should the practitioner not do?

When preparing to administer a vaccine, expelling air from a prefilled syringe is generally not advised unless specified in the product information or if air bubbles are large and could impact dosing accuracy. This practice can inadvertently lead to waste of medication, particularly if the syringe is designed to hold precise volumes, and displacing any portion of the vaccine could compromise the effectiveness of the dosage being administered.

Maintaining hand hygiene, verifying the vaccine type, and checking the expiration date are all essential steps in the vaccination process. Hand hygiene is vital to prevent infection, verifying the vaccine ensures the correct product is being administered to the patient, and checking the expiration date confirms the vaccine's viability for use. Each of these practices ensures patient safety and promotes effective vaccination. Therefore, the proper handling of prefilled syringes is crucial for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the vaccine.