Ensuring injection safety during measles immunization campaigns: more than auto-disable syringes and safety boxes.
Measles immunization campaigns are effective elements of a comprehensive strategy for preventing measles cases and deaths. However, if immunizations are not properly administered or if immunization waste products are not safely managed, there is the potential to transmit bloodborne pathogens (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and hepatitis C). A safe injection can be defined as one that results in no harm to the recipient, the vaccinator, and the surrounding community. Proper equipment, such as the exclusive use of auto-disable syringes and safety boxes, is necessary, but these alone are not sufficient to ensure injection safety in immunization campaigns. Equally important are careful planning and managerial activities that include policy and strategy development, financing, budgeting, logistics, training, supervision, and monitoring. The key elements that must be in place to ensure injection safety in measles immunization campaigns are outlined.
World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. hersh@who.int
Bradley S
BS
Hersh
Richard M
RM
Carr
Julia
J
Fitzner
Tracey S
TS
Goodman
Gillian F
GF
Mayers
Hans
H
Everts
Eric
E
Laurent
Gordon A
GA
Larsen
Julian B
JB
Bilous
D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D008457:Measles / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D012449:Safety / Q000592:standards*; D013594:Syringes / Q000592:standards; D014944:World Health Organization
D008458:Measles Vaccine; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal