Composite 'Injectable Needles' for the Administration of Hepatitis B Vaccine

摘要

Administration of injectable vaccines remains a significant challenge in situations with limited resources. Main barriers to "universal" vaccination continue to be a) requirement for cold chain to guarantee product integrity b) need for reconstitution with sterile water for injection c) manipulation and reuse of hypodermic needles and d) need for skilled personnel. In some vaccination campaigns these requirements result in up to 50% of shipped vaccine to go to waste, up to 70% reuse of hypodermic needles, and low rates of compliance to receive the full vaccination course. Despite recent improvements these factors continue to have a direct cost in human lives.