How much is this widespread reuse of syringes responsible for the terrible disease rate in Africa? - SM

Imunization Newsbriefs

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March 19, 2001

 

“GlaxoSmithKline Markets New Disposable Syringe” Associated Press (www.ap.org) (03/15/01)

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) recently announced that it will begin distributing new syringes for use with its pediatric vaccines.  The syringes lock after being used once, making re-use—which can cause the spread of disease such as hepatitis B and HIV—extremely difficult.  The re-use of syringes is a problem in many Third-World nations, and GSK will distribute the new syringes in Africa, Latin America, eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

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