The role of mHealth in the fight against flu

Abstract

A of vaccines by novel needle-free technology such as jet injection offers an important alternative to needle and syringe and may enhance compliance. In August 2014, needle-free vaccination against influenza was approved with Afluria using PharmaJet® Stratis® jet injection technology. The objective of this post-marketing study was to assess acceptance of and satisfaction with flu vaccination using Afluria delivered in the grocery pharmacy setting via the novel needle-free system. A total of 98 grocery store customers, ages 18-64 were administered needle-free Afluria vaccination during the 20142015 flu season using the PharmaJet device and agreed to complete a short post-administration survey. The population of was 54% female and 74% of all respondents reported receiving a flu shot the prior season. Overall, 89% of subjects reported being satisfied, very satisfied or extremely satisfied with the needle-free flu shot; 83% of subjects reported that they were likely, very likely or definitely going to choose flu vaccination by jet injection next year. The high degree of satisfaction with Afluria delivered through needle-free PharmaJet Stratis suggests that needle-free vaccination with jet injection may be widely accepted, improving compliance in the general adult population which currently has very low rates of immunization against flu.