H1N1 and the use of multi-dose vials in mass vaccination

Abstract

The World Health Organization policy statement on multi-dose vials states quite clearly that "the risk of contamination is higher in a multidose vial than in a single-dose vial because the vaccine is repeatedly exposed - every time a dose is withdrawn" (WHO 2000). In Australia, the 2004 Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) guidelines, approved by the Department of Health and Ageing state that "The Australian Drug Evaluation Committee advised that injectable products packaged in multi-dose vials should not be used, except where products such as insulin are intended solely for the exclusive use of an individual patient".