In a number of countries in the WHO European Region, immunization injection safety, including sharps waste disposal, is a new initiative that still needs strengthening. WHO/Europe supports endeavours in this area with guidance on the development of policies, strategies and action plans, including reinforcement and capacity building through training and supervision.

Health-care-waste management, particularly the disposal of sharps, is a sensitive issue and often difficult to tackle. Consultations, workshops and pilot projects on appropriate technology for waste disposal are under way in several countries.

Supporting the joint statement of WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) that only auto-disable syringes should be used in immunization activities, and that safety boxes for sharps disposal should be provided, WHO/Europe assisted the 11 countries eligible for support from the GAVI Alliance in obtaining funds for this purpose. Several countries have now adopted the use of auto-disable syringes and safety boxes in their routine programmes.

In collaboration with WHO/Europe, the governments of 15 countries in the Region have undertaken injection safety assessments. Multisectoral working groups have been established, and training materials developed and used to address the recommendations made.

Background

Injections are one of the most common health-care procedures: 5–10% of some 16 billion injections administered worldwide each year are given for immunization.

Remarkable progress has been made in the field of injection safety in the last few years, but much remains to be done to ensure 100% safe injections in immunization programmes, including the safe disposal of sharps.