At a glance
- A jet injector is a medical device used for vaccination that uses a high-pressure, narrow stream of fluid to penetrate the skin instead of a needle.
- AFLURIA is the only U.S. flu vaccine approved to use with a jet injector this season.
- Flu vaccination with AFLURIA via jet injector is approved for use in people 18 through 64 years.
Jet injector overview
A jet injector is a medical device used for vaccination that uses a high-pressure, narrow stream of fluid to penetrate the skin instead of a needle. Jet injectors may be powered by compressed gas or springs. These devices have been used in mass vaccination efforts to prevent smallpox and other diseases. These devices have also been used to vaccinate members of the armed forces.
Flu vaccines are available via jet injector this season
One flu vaccine, AFLURIA, is approved for use with a jet injector this season. AFLURIA flu vaccine provides protection against an influenza A(H1N1) virus, and influenza A(H3N2) virus and one influenza B virus.
Flu vaccination with AFLURIA via jet injector is approved for use in people 18 through 64 years. AFLURIA also may be given by needle and syringe, for people 6 months and older.
The Afluria formulation used for administration by jet injector comes in multi-dose vials, which contain thimerosal.
Effectiveness
Clinical trial data used in FDA's approval of the jet injector (i.e., the PharmaJet Stratis Needle-Free Injector used with the previous trivalent AFLURIA) demonstrated that vaccination using this jet injector method that provided a similar level of immune protection compared to the same flu vaccine administered via traditional flu shot.
Side effects
In adults 18 through 64 years, the most common injection-site reactions observed in a clinical study of the jet injector flu vaccine up to 7 days post-vaccination were tenderness, swelling, pain, redness, itching and bruising. The most common side effects within this period were myalgia (muscle pain), malaise (i.e., the feeling of discomfort or unease like when you are first getting sick), and headache.