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.
Hersh
Bradley S
BS
World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. hersh@who.int
Carr
Richard M
RM
Fitzner
Julia
J
Goodman
Tracey S
TS
Mayers
Gillian F
GF
Everts
Hans
H
Laurent
Eric
E
Larsen
Gordon A
GA
Bilous
Julian B
JB
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