Immunisation and multi-dose vials

The current novel H1N1 09 influenza virus pandemic has resulted in 37,722 diagnoses, 4992 hospitalisations, and 191 deaths in Australia as of 11 June 2010. A mass immunisation campaign has commenced using a multi-dose vial formulation to assist rapid deployment. However, in the past multi-dose vials have been associated with transmission of infective agents. Having the vaccine in single-dose vials with a lesser risk of transmission of infection but increased delay in implementation and increased cost needs to be weighed against the imperative to vaccinate the population against pandemic H1N1 09 influenza virus. This article reviews the infectious risks associated with multi-dose vials.