Ensuring Injection Safety during Rubella Immunization Campaigns in the Americas

Background: From 1998 to 2006, 36 of the 40 countries and territories that are members of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) carried out mass vaccination campaigns for accelerated rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) elimination. During these campaigns it was crucial to follow the World Health Organization's (WHO) injection safety policy.To date no evaluation has been carried out to verify how closely this policy was followed during this type of campaign.

Objectives: 1) Evaluation of the use of single-use injection equipment, 2) Assessment of the use of safety boxes, and 3) Analysis of waste management.

Methods: Information gathered through a survey responded by the immunization program national managers from the PAHO region and country reports.

Results: During these campaigns in the Americas, the injection safety policy of WHO was successfully implemented; 36 countries used single-use injection equipment. The use of the auto-disable syringes and safety boxes is increasing. During these campaigns some countries provided appropriate medical waste transport. Whether or not there was a waste recollection system in place, acceptable waste treatment methods were used.

Conclusions: The availability of necessary equipment and supplies has guaranteed the use of sterile devices, and appropriate safety boxes. However, there is a need to improve the disposal of waste produced by EPI.