Lifetime of reusable syringes and needles. A field study

Abstract

For planning of supplies and costs it is important for an immunization unit to know how many times reusable syringes and needles can be used. A field study found that BCG syringes, which had their rubber seals replaced once, could be used at least 150 times, and DPT syringes more than 200 times even when sterilized in tap water with a hardness of 88 mg calciumoxyde per liter. Needles could be used 100 times and when resharpened several times even more.