Assessing the impact of needle-free delivery on Nigeria’s routine immunization program for intradermal delivery of poliovirus vaccine
GOLDEN, Colo. — October 24, 2023 — PharmaJet® , a company that engineers precision delivery systems that overcome the challenges of vaccines and pharmaceuticals delivery, today announced the implementation of a study in Nigeria to evaluate the impact of intradermal vaccine administration of fractional inactivated poliovirus vaccine (fIPV) using their Tropis® ID Needle-free Injection System (NFIS). The study, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Jhpiego , PATH and the Sydani Group, is assessing coverage rates, and the potential for reduced costs, associated with using Tropis for fIPV delivery, as compared to the current standard of intramuscular delivery of full dose IPV using needle and syringe. Partners are also evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of using needle-free from the healthcare worker and caregiver perspective.
Implementation began in mid-July and will run through January 2024, with children at 22 urban and rural health facilities receiving fIPV with Tropis. Evidence from the study is intended to inform policy regarding intradermal delivery of polio vaccine in routine immunization settings.
As previously reported, the study, entitled Evaluating the impact of needle-free delivery of Inactivated Polio Vaccine on Nigeria’s routine immunization program is funded by a multi-year grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). High vaccine costs of IPV immunization, limited regional supplies of vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, and logistical barriers in remote areas are among the immunization challenges that have left more than 14.3 million children in low-income regions around the world without proper immunization to poliomyelitis.1 The study aims to focus on key metrics that will determine if the implementation of Tropis for routine immunization can address some of these challenges.
Study preparation included the development of standard operating procedures to ensure congruence with the country’s existing medical guidelines. Hands-on training with healthcare workers was completed prior to the launch. Initial feedback from medical personnel following the training was that the system was fast and easy-to-use.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with NPHCDA, Jhpiego, PATH and Sydani Group on this important innovative routine immunization program in Nigeria,” noted Paul LaBarre, Vice President of Global Business Development, PharmaJet. “This builds on our experience in Pakistan where Tropis has been demonstrated to increase coverage rates. Including additional campaigns in Somalia, we have provided more than 10 million syringes for polio immunization programs.2 On this World Polio Day 2023, we restate our commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.”
To see PharmaJet in action, view a video of the Somalia polio immunization campaign here. For more information about PharmaJet visit https://pharmajet.com.
Refer to Instructions for Use to ensure safe injections and to review risks.
This press release and the related study are made possible by the support of the American people through the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of PharmaJet and the
Project Partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
1 World Health Organization, Immunization Coverage Fact Sheet
2 PharmaJet internal data file, 2023
About PharmaJet
The PharmaJet vision is to enable greater access to life-saving vaccines and pharmaceuticals globally. We are committed to helping our partners realize their research and commercialization goals while making an impact on public health. PharmaJet Precision Delivery Systems™ provide increased vaccine effectiveness, a preferred patient and caregiver experience, and a proven path to commercialization. They are also safe, fast, and easy-to-use. The Stratis® System has U.S. FDA 510(k) marketing clearance, CE Mark, and WHO PQS certification to deliver medications and vaccines either intramuscularly or subcutaneously. The Tropis® System has CE Mark and WHO PQS certification for intradermal injections. They are both commercially available for global immunization programs. For more information visit https://pharmajet.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.
About Tropis ID
The PharmaJet Tropis® ID Precision Delivery System™ was developed with support from the World Health Organization, US CDC, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and has CE Mark and WHO PQS certification for intradermal injections. It has been used for millions of injections in multiple immunization campaigns worldwide. Data have repeatedly shown improved immunogenicity for nucleic acid vaccines and therapeutics administered with Tropis compared to needle and syringe and electroporation delivery. In addition, Tropis is the exclusive intradermal delivery system for two authorized novel Covid-19 vaccines: ZyCoV-D by Zydus Lifesciences, and GEMCOVAC-OM by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals.
About National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is Nigeria’s domestic development agency for Primary Health Care. It is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health, and its mandate includes, but is not limited to:
- Providing support to the National Health Policy for the development of Primary Health Care.
- Providing support for monitoring and evaluation of the National Health Policy.
- Providing technical support for planning, management, and implementation of Primary Health Care.
- Mobilizing resources nationally and internationally for the development of Primary Health Care.
For more information about NPHCDA visit https://nphcda.gov.ng/.