Injection Safety

Injections are one of the most common health care procedures, with some 16 billion injections administered world-wide each year. Most injections (90 to 95 percent) are given for therapeutic purposes, and only 5 to 10 percent are given for immunization. Injections are often unnecessary and are frequently unsafe. Unsafe injections are responsible for millions of cases of Hepatitis B and C, and an estimated one quarter of a million cases of HIV annually. Re-use of injection equipment without sterilization is frequently a key problem. Unsafe injections are responsible for millions of cases of Hepatitis B and C, and an estimated one-quarter of a million cases of HIV annually.