Why UNICEF and PAHO Select Medriva Injections for the Global COVID-19 Vaccination Drive?

Because vaccinations are not mandatory in most countries, achieving herd immunity requires public willingness to receive vaccinations against COVID-19.  In an attempt to address some of the gaps in knowledge and concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccines in the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has collaborated with UNICEF to develop communication materials to address some of the vaccine hesitancy in the region. The materials were launched on 21 May 2021, including videos, social media cards, and radio public service announcements. There are several topics covered, including:

• Vaccine development
• Vaccines: how they work
• The safety of vaccines
• Vaccine side effects
• Vaccine benefits

Auto-Disable or AD syringes are deemed by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to be the safest syringes for mass vaccination programs. 

Syringes with auto-disable mechanisms are easy to use, reliable, and inexpensive. Only one use is necessary for these syringes, which reduces the risk of infection. Single-use syringes are made using several techniques. A second use may be prevented by needle blocking and plunger breaking. 

Benefits of Using Auto-Disable syringes

• Once injected, they automatically close, preventing the spread of disease between patients.
• Syringe reuse and inadequate disposal facilities make them ideal, especially in these situations.
• Auto-disable syringes are an inexpensive option compared to the costs of treating diseases caused by contaminated needles and syringes. This makes them cost-effective and effective enough to prevent diseases.
• The pre-sterilized products can be used immediately, as they have been pre-sterilized (which eliminates the need for additional sterilization equipment).
• As they reduce the possibility of infection due to mistakes, they prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses like HIV and Hepatitis B.
• Environmentally friendly (nontoxic).
• Because auto-disable syringes are pre-sterilized, there is no need to bring heavy equipment to the session site, such as pressure cookers, stoves, or kerosene. 

Understanding how auto-disable syringes work

There are two locking systems on the auto-disable syringes. Two of the locks are barrel seals, and the other is top plunger locks.

Barrel Seal Lock

This type of auto-disable is designed to be used only once. As soon as the plunger is pressed against the needle adaptor, the locking mechanism disables the syringe, preventing the plunger from being removed from the barrel. Consequently, the plunger will be permanently connected to the barrel, ensuring that the syringe is discarded after each use.

Plunger lock system 

Plunger locks on the top can also be used only once. Due to the top plunger notch of this system, the syringe is securely locked into the barrel once inserted, and the use of the syringe is safe and secure. This ensures that the syringe will only be used once the plunger slides into the barrel.

Why UNICEF & PAHO Select MEDRIVA's Auto-Disable Syringes?

According to a WHO study, unsafe injections resulted in the infections of approximately 1.7 million people with hepatitis B, 315 000 with hepatitis C, and 33,800 with HIV. 

A unified request for improved injection safety standards was issued in 1999 by UNICEF, WHO, and UNFPA. They stated in a statement that AD syringes are already affordable and accessible and should be used in routine services and mass vaccination campaigns. Auto-disable syringes have been increasingly popular since then.

It is estimated that one out of every five syringes used in COVID-19 vaccinations this year will be a MEDRIVA syringe.

Oceania, Europe, and Asia are among the largest markets for auto-disabled syringes. Our company manufactures auto-dissolving syringes with various capacity sizes and closure type(s). Quality and value are our hallmarks. 

UNICEF and PAHO select MEDRIVA's auto-disposable syringes for a variety of reasons. 

• Medical disposables made from plastic, MEDRIVA's auto-disable syringe products are sterilized, nontoxic, self-locking, nonpyrogenic, and available in many variants for various applications.
• The piston cannot be reused after it has been used because it is damaged. Auto-disable syringes are reliable and cost-effective ways to ensure that the syringe is used once only, thereby minimizing illness transmission. 
• Only a backward movement is possible with the involuntary model, followed by full forward movement.
• SYRINGES WITH AUTO-DISABLES ARE EASY TO USE. However, medical workers are recommended to use the devices to reduce waste.
• Our auto-disable syringe(s) are manufactured/prepared from high-quality components, including a barrel and piston made from medical-grade PVC, a rubber plunger tip/piston that provides a reliable seal, and a precision needle. It is easy to measure with the barrel and see if there are any air bubbles.
• The syringes meet the biocompatibility requirements of ISO 10993-1. 
• Several immunization campaigns already use Medriva's auto-dissolvable syringes. EO gas sterilizes the product, which has a 5-year shelf life.

Concluding Remarks

Auto-disable syringes require less training, education, or explanation before use because they are easy to use. In addition to being pre-sterilized and ready for use once opened, MEDRIVA auto-disable syringe products minimize the infection risks and prevent patients and medical workers from transferring blood-borne viruses like HIV. Because of this, organizations like UNICEF & PAHO have selected MEDRIVA auto-disable syringes.