Waste management
The safe disposal of used needles and syringes is a critical component of any vaccination programme if infection is to be prevented. Poor management of injection-related waste exposes patients, health-care workers, waste handlers and, indeed, the wider community, to infections, toxic effects and injuries.
Effective programmes for the management of immunization waste require both the assignment of legal and financial responsibility for safe management to the waste producer, and the responsibility of duty of care. Where possible, management of immunization waste should be integrated into existing health-care waste management systems. Furthermore, it is essential that health-care waste management is accepted as an integral part of health care by all those concerned.
The resources and links available from this page provide further information relating to the establishment of a national strategy for health-care waste management.
Publications
Links
- WHO website including technical options database, links to web sites of institutions working on related activities, and focal points for health-care waste management at WHO regional offices
- GAVI Alliance support for health-care waste management
Page last updated: 27 July 2006
