WHO and UNICEF strongly recommend the systematic and exclusive use of auto-disable (AD) syringes for the delivery of vaccines and reuse prevention syringes (RUP) for the reconstitution of vaccines during routine immunization services and mass vaccination campaigns.
This policy statement, which replaces the 1999 WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA joint policy statement on this subject, further re-affirms that:
- Auto-disable syringes, vaccines and safety boxes continue to be supplied as a “bundle”; and
- UNICEF will not procure standard disposable syringes for any immunization activities, including syringes used for reconstitution.
In addition, WHO and UNICEF:
Urge countries to:
- Develop a strategy for the exclusive procurement, training and education of health workers on the use of AD syringes and reuse prevention syringes for vaccine delivery and reconstitution, as well as their effective disposal and waste management;
- Evaluate the feasibility of adopting injection devices with sharps injury protection (SIP) technologies for vaccines; and
- Transition by 2020, to the exclusive procurement and use of AD syringes for vaccine administration and reuse prevention syringes for vaccine reconstitution that meet WHO quality standards.
Urge donors and development partners to:
- Exclusively fund vaccines bundled with WHO prequalified AD syringes and reuse prevention syringes for vaccine delivery and reconstitution, and sharps safety boxes for sharps disposal.
- Support health -worker- training in the use of AD syringes and reuse prevention syringes for all immunization activities.
Urge manufacturers to:
- Further develop and improve affordability of AD and RUP syringes and sharps injury protection (AD/SIP) technologies for both delivery and reconstitution devices.
