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Needle Stick injuries from Animal Vaccines

Animal Injections

Needle stick injuries are a serious occupational hazard for veterinarians, farm workers, and animal handlers.

These injuries can occur when handling syringes and needles used for administering vaccines and other medicines to animals. While needle stick injuries may seem minor, they can pose significant health risks, particularly when the injections contain substances that could cause severe reactions if accidentally injected into the human body.

This article focuses on the risks associated with needle stick injuries from veterinary injections, specifically highlighting tilmicosin, mineral oil-containing, copper-containing, and hormone-containing injections.

General First Aid

All needle stick injuries that break the skin pose the risk of serious infection, especially if a dirty needle was involved.

  1. If possible, first wipe away excess fluid with a clean absorbent cloth (e.g. facial tissue)
  2. Immediately wash area with warm soapy water
  3. Avoid squeezing the area/wound or trying to remove product by any other means
  4. If an allergic reaction develops (e.g. hives, rash, itching, swelling around head or neck, feeling faint, difficulty breathing) dial 111 immediately
  5. Call the National Poisons Centre or seek medical attention.  Ensure that you have the product name and specific details of the product

Any needle stick injury from a needle that has already been used in an animal requires medical attention. The majority of these cases will require oral antibiotics and a check of the patient’s tetanus status.

 

Live vs attenuated/inactivated vaccines

“Can I become unwell from the live organisms in the vaccine?”

The short answer is no, even the “live” bacteria have been modified so that infection and disease is extremely unlikely, however, external germs from the outside world may enter the wound and cause disease. These vaccines also may still contain other harmful ingredients which may still require specific treatment.

 

Mineral Oil-Containing Injections

Mineral oil is used in some animal vaccines and injections to enhance the immune response or when the active ingredient is not water soluble. While effective in boosting vaccine efficacy, mineral oil-containing injections present a distinct risk:

  • Tissue Reactions: Mineral oil can cause reactions which are localised, chronic inflammatory responses. This can lead to painful and potentially severe tissue damage if accidentally injected.

Prompt medical evaluation is advised if exposure to a mineral oil-containing injection occurs through a needle stick injury. Treatment may involve surgically removing any oil that has entered the wound.

 

Tilmicosin

Tilmicosin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic used primarily in veterinary medicine. While tilmicosin is effective in managing infections, it poses specific risks if injected into humans.

  • Cardiovascular Effect: Tilmicosin can lead to severe cardiovascular problems in humans, including arrhythmias and hypotension. This substance can affect the heart's rhythm and function, which could be life-threatening if a significant amount is injected accidentally.

Any exposure requires immediate medical attention.

If exposed to a tilmicosin injection

  • first dial 111
  • apply an ice pack to the area while you wait for medical attention
  • avoid massaging the wound

  

Copper-Containing Injections

Some animal injections contain copper as a component, and needle stick injuries involving these vaccines can lead to:

  • Local injury: Injections can cause severe damage to surrounding tissues, may cause significant pain and swelling.
  • Systemic toxicity: Copper toxicity can cause a racing heart, low blood pressure, liver damage, and kidney dysfunction.

 If a needle stick injury involves a copper-containing injection, it is important to seek immediate medical advice. If you are unable to call the National Poisons Centre go directly to hospital.

 

Hormone-Containing Vaccines

Progesterone and oxytocin are hormones used in some veterinary injections to manage reproductive conditions in animals. Accidental exposure to progesterone through needle stick injuries can lead to:

  • Induced abortion: These vaccines should never be handled by pregnant women. Accidental injection can lead to abortion in pregnant women.

All exposures in non-pregnant patients will still require medical attention due to infection risk.

 

Prevention

Preventing needle stick injuries involves proper training, use of safety-engineered needles, and adherence to standard protocols.

Further guidance on best practice and preventing needle stick injuries at work, as well as in-depth information on different types of animal injections can be found here.