Multi-dose vials versus single-dose vials for vaccination: perspectives from lower-middle income countries

Abstract

The choice of the vaccine packaging type either as single- or multi-dose vial is a crucial determinant of vaccine coverage. The experience of vaccination strategies in lower-middle-income countries suggests that multi-dose vaccine vials translate into greater economic-logistic advantages due to lower packaging and storage costs with significant environmental benefits accrued from reduced medical waste generation. However, the use of multi-dose vials is associated with a theoretical risk of contamination particularly from human error. Moreover, the overall economic advantage of multi-dose vials is contingent on the reduction of the extent of vaccine wastage associated with their use. Robust data collection for monitoring of vaccine wastage rates and adverse effects following immunization is therefore needed to understand the extent of economic benefit and risks involved with multi-dose vial use.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease and Prevention Products: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preferences of Kenyan Healthcare Workers in Two Counties in 2021

“…However, there were HCWs—especially HMOs in charge of logistics—who preferred multidose vials, with lower storage and operation costs per dose as the main reasons for their preference. Indeed, multidose vaccine vials have been previously associated with low storage and administration costs; however, previous studies evaluating vaccine wastage have indicated contamination as a major challenge with multidose vials, which leads to their recommendation of a mixed approach (single, fewer, and more dose vials) depending of the location [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. When introducing RSV vaccines, policy makers may need to consider between single dose/device and multidose vaccine formulations, or both depending on populations and locations to match the varying needs and requirements.…”