Jet Injectors = Jet Infectors

May 21, 2016

Patient’s Arm Was Not Supported / Flesh Was Not Pulled Tight

The Armed Forces gave a scrupulous description on how to administer vaccinations via jet injectors. In this 1970 Army Medical Department, Handbook of Basic Nursing, the vaccinator is given explicit instructions with photos, as shown below. [Note: refer to pages 395-398 in the following link above on jet injection]

The vaccinator must support the patient’s arm while the vaccination is given. The flesh must be pulled tightly.

(Army Medical Department Handbook of Basic Nursing, 1970)

A 1985 Walter Reed Army Medical Center textbook, titled Allergy-Clinical Immunology Training Manual, states during keynote injection “[t]he person being injected should be held firmly underneath the arm to prevent reaction or movement resulting in cut. If the injection site bleeds cotton gauze should be firmly applied to the area” (Allergy-Clinical Immunology Training Manual, 1985).

However, no matter the branch or year of service corpsmen frequently failed to administer the vaccinations properly. These photographs capture corpsmen failing to support the patient’s arm or pull patients’ skin tightly so that the injection would be properly received.

(Army, Fort Dix, 1968, Company D-3)

(Army Fort Knox, 1969)

(Navy RTC Orlando, 1975)

(Marine Corps. Recruit Depot San Diego, 1970)

(Army Fort Knox, 1968)

(Navy RTC Orlando, 1975)

(Coast Guard)

The Army Medical Department’s 1970 Handbook of Basic Nursing stated, “Improper injection technique will injure the recipient’s skin.”

Improper Military Jet Injector Vaccinations – Part 3

Reference:

• (Allergy-Clinical Immunology Training Manual, 1985) Allergy-Clinical Immunology Training Manual, Volume II. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, April 1985. Fourth Edition. pp. 41-5 – 45-10.
• (Army Medical Department Handbook of Basic Nursing, 1970) Army Medical Department Handbook of Basic Nursing. Jet Hypodermic Injection Apparatus, Automatic. Department of the Army. November 1970. pp. 395-398.

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