Source
Tawil JR, Vitello EC, Agostini-Walesch GM, Mitchell JC, Kreisler RE. Needle sharpness is minimally affected by vaccine vial puncture. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025;263(6):725-731. doi:10.2460/javma.25.01.0025
Research Note
Clinicians may change needles between drawing up a vaccine and injecting a patient; however, needle changes lead to increased risk for needlestick injuries, as well as higher costs due to needle replacement and increased medical waste.
This study surveyed clinicians regarding vaccination protocols and included a blinded, randomized, controlled bench trial to assess the impact on needle sharpness of 3 brands and 4 gauges of needles after passage through vial septa. Of 482 survey respondents, 76% reported routinely changing needles after vaccine aspiration, with 98% citing concern for needle dulling or burring. For the experimental part of the study, the effect on needle sharpness after 1 or 2 needle passages through vial septa was measured by the peak penetration force (PF) required to penetrate a standardized material. Visual examination of needles using an optical 3-dimensional surface roughness measurement instrument was also performed.
Minor increases in PF were noted after 1 (9%) and 2 (18%) septum passages; however, needle gauge and brand had greater impact on PF than did number of passages. On needle visualization, defects were noted on 40% of needles after 1 septum passage and 52% of needles after 2 passages; PF through the vial septum was the strongest predictor for defects.
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