Evaluation of ready-to-use and multi-dose influenza vaccine formats in large clinic settings

Large immunization clinics are commonly held to deliver influenza vaccine to seniors and others. Vaccine is typically dispensed from multi-dose vials but pre-filled syringes are now available, offering time savings for vaccinators. To determine if the higher purchase price of such syringes is offset by savings in time and injection supplies, we did a controlled comparison of syringe and vial formats in two large, concurrent, community-based influenza vaccination clinics. Vaccine preparation and immunization times were carefully documented along with costs for vaccine purchase, storage and injection supplies. Servicing 1,000 clients required 27 nurse hours using syringes and 36 hours using vials but the savings for personnel ($234) and supplies ($1,190) using syringes were exceeded by higher vaccine cost ($2,090 premium) and extra storage costs ($260) for bulkier packaging. Depending upon product and packaging style, programs using vials are cheaper by $709-$926 per 100 doses delivered compared to using pre-filled syringes.