International Journal of Clinical Case Reports, 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 190-199 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijccr 195 5.3 The role of nutrition and lifestyle Nutritional status and lifestyle habits also play an important role in the immune response of the elderly after vaccination (Kohut et al., 2002). Malnutrition is relatively common in elderly care institutions, which can lead to poor vaccine efficacy and increase the risk of infection (Bellei et al., 2006). On the contrary, if sufficient micronutrients such as vitamins are consumed, it helps to enhance immune function and improve vaccine protection (Sadarangani et al., 2022). Regular physical exercise, maintaining optimism and communicating more with others all contribute to improving antibody levels and cellular immune responses. Conversely, prolonged inactivity or feeling stressed may lead to a weakened immune system. This indicates that by improving lifestyle, it is expected to enhance the vaccination effect of the elderly in institutions (Kohut et al., 2002; Bellei et al., 2006; Sadarangani et al., 2022). 6 Contents and Procedures of Nursing Monitoring 6.1 Pre-vaccination assessment Before vaccinating, nurses should have a comprehensive understanding of the physical condition of each resident, including past medical history, medications currently being taken, any history of allergies, and reactions to previous vaccinations. Special attention should be paid to whether there are chronic diseases or physical frailty conditions, as these may affect the vaccine efficacy or increase the risk of side effects (McConeghy et al., 2025). Nurses also need to assess the cognitive abilities of the elderly to see if they have the ability to give informed consent, ensuring that the elderly and their families understand the benefits and possible risks of the vaccine (Ellen, 2018). In addition, before vaccination, it is necessary to check whether there is a fever or other acute conditions. If so, the vaccination may need to be postponed. During this process, nurses should also provide health education to the elderly and caregivers, clearly explaining the importance of influenza vaccination, alleviating their concerns about side effects, and correcting some common misunderstandings (Ellen, 2018). 6.2 Short-term observation after vaccination After vaccination, nurses should observe the elderly on the spot for at least 15 to 30 minutes to pay attention to whether there are sudden situations such as allergic reactions or fainting. The observation contents include whether there is pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, and whether there are mild systemic reactions such as fever and general discomfort. These symptoms are usually mild in the elderly and will relieve themselves quickly. Nurses should record the observed situations as the basis for safety monitoring and improvement of nursing work (Muszkat et al., 2003; McConeghy et al., 2025). In the days following vaccination, nurses still need to continue to monitor for any delayed adverse reactions and provide care support when necessary. If there are serious or unexpected reactions, they should be reported and dealt with in a timely manner, especially in crowded places such as elderly care institutions, to prevent group problems (Muszkat et al., 2003; McConeghy et al., 2025). 6.3 Long-term immune tracking Long-term surveillance work involves continuously observing the elderly throughout the influenza season for flu-like symptoms and recording whether they were hospitalized or died due to respiratory tract infections. Nurses should closely cooperate with the medical team to promptly identify possible cases of vaccine failure and provide treatment for symptomatic elderly people as early as possible (Domnich et al., 2017; McConeghy et al., 2025). Vaccine efficacy can also be checked regularly, such as evaluating antibody levels or protection rates. This helps guide future vaccination plans and identify populations that may need booster vaccines or additional protective measures (Muszkat et al., 2003; Domnich et al., 2017). Meanwhile, vaccination records and vaccination rates should also be checked regularly to promote the continuous improvement of the overall care quality in elderly care institutions (Chan et al., 2021).
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