Clinical Study Published in The Lancet Supports Flu Shots Administered with PharmaJet’s Needle-Free Injector

The Lancet recently published a study that demonstrates that the delivery of an influenza vaccine with the PharmaJet Needle-Free Jet injector compares favorably to a traditional needle and syringe delivery. This is the first definitive non-inferiority study to measure the immune responses to all three influenza viruses induced after administration of a seasonal flu vaccine by a jet injection device as compared to a needle and syringe.¹ The PharmaJet needle-free injector can help eliminate needlestick injuries, needle re-use and potential cross contamination, as well as create a more comfortable experience for patients who fear needles.¹ The study also found that 89 percent of the people receiving the PharmaJet Needle-Free Injection reported they would choose a PharmaJet injection over needle and syringe for their next injection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu shots for all adults, yet only around 40% of them receive a flu vaccination each year.² The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has established a Healthy People 2020 campaign that includes the goal of 70 percent flu vaccination compliance by the year 2020.³ A significant percentage of people forego vaccinations because of an aversion to needle injections.^4-7 Jet injectors can contribute to meeting the influenza vaccination goals of CDC and HHS, since this study demonstrates the non-inferiority of the jet injector technology versus traditional needle and syringe.

To learn more, please refer to the full study, which was published in The Lancet on August 23, 2014. You can read the abstract and purchase a copy at TheLancet.com

References

1. McAllister L, Anderson J, Werth K, et al. Needle-free jet injection for administration of influenza vaccine: a randomised non-Inferiority trial. The Lancet. 2014;384:674-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60524-9 Published Online May 30, 2014.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Early Season Flu Vaccination Coverage, United States, November 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1314estimates.htm Updated January 28, 2016.
3. HealthyPeople.gov. Immunization and Infectious Diseases. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/immunization-and-infectious-diseases/objectives Updated March 23, 2016.
4. Taddio A, Ipp M, Thivakaran S, et al. Survey of the prevalence of immunization non-compliance due to needle fears in children and adults. Vaccine 2012; 30;4807-4812 https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.05.011
5. Nir Y, Paz A, Sabo E, Potasman I. Fear of injections in young adults: prevalence and associations. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2003; 68: 341-4.
6. Wright S, Yelland M, Heathcote K, Ng SK, Wright G. Fear of needles-nature and prevalence in general practice. Aust Fam Physician 2009; 38: 172-6.
7. Target Corporation. (2012). Target Survey Shows Adult Americans May Avoid the Flu Shot Due to Fear of Needles. Target.com . https://corporate.target.com/press/releases/2012/08/target-survey-shows-adult-americans-237507 Published August 14, 2012. Accessed March 23, 2016.