Injection safety efforts eliminate immunization-related infections

The Measles Initiative and the GAVI Alliance announced that infections resulting from the re-use of syringes for immunizations have been reduced to practically zero in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a recently released study. Over the past decade, advocacy efforts and the funding of safe injection materials, including auto-disable (AD) syringes, have virtually eliminated the dangerous practice of reusing syringes for vaccinations in sub-Saharan Africa. The AD syringe is designed to prevent dangerous re-use by locking automatically after a single injection. No risk “This is an encouraging step in reaching high health standards in some of the world’s poorest countries.” Dr. Edward Hoekstra, Senior Health Specialist at UNICEF and main author of the study. “The use of AD syringes is the best way of ensuring that children receive their shots safely, with no risk of contracting an infection due to contaminated devices,” added Dr. Hoekstra.“This is an encouraging step in reaching high health standards...