Using the Uniject™ injection system to extend the reach of immunization programs

The Uniject™ autodisable injection system (Uniject) can help to increase immunization rates, reduce waste, and improve the safety of vaccination programs. Millions have already been used to deliver vaccines against tetanus and hepatitis B.

Although immunization programs using syringes, needles, and multidose vials of vaccine have reached millions of children over the past few decades, this approach has several drawbacks. For example, when health workers open a multidose vial to give shots to a few children, the rest of the vaccine may go to waste. Sometimes, health workers may be unwilling to open a vial for just one or two children.

A better way

The single-dose Uniject eliminates the waste associated with multidose vials. It also reduces the burden on supply systems by combining the vaccine and delivery tool into a single unit. By simplifying injection, it facilitates community-based vaccination by lower-level health workers, which can help to boost vaccination rates.

Like vaccines in vials, vaccines in Uniject comes with a sticker that measures exposure over time to heat, which can ruin the product. This makes it easy for health workers to know which doses can be used and which should be thrown out.

Use for tetanus and hepatitis B

In 2000, tetanus toxoid became the first vaccine available in Uniject. Now, the World Health Organization has prequalified both tetanus and hepatitis B vaccines for use with this unique tool.

Uniject is a trademark of BD.