What is a jet injector and how is it used for vaccination?

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. The devices were invented in the 1960s and were used successfully in mass vaccination efforts to prevent smallpox and other diseases. In the past, the devices were often used to vaccinate members of the armed forces.

What flu vaccines are available via jet injector this season?

One flu vaccine, AFLURIA Quadrivalent^®, is approved for use with a jet injector this season. AFLURIA Quadrivalent^® (i.e., four ingredient) flu vaccine provides protection against an influenza A(H1N1) virus, and influenza A(H3N2) virus and two influenza B viruses. For more information, see What You Should Know for the 2022-2023 Season.

Who can be vaccinated with flu vaccine administered by jet injector?

Flu vaccination with AFLURIA Quadrivalent^®via jet injector is approved for use in people aged 18 through 64. AFLURIA Quadrivalent also may be given by needle and syringe, for people 6 months old and older.

How effective is flu vaccine administered by jet injector?

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 provided a non-inferior (i.e., similar) level of immune protection compared to the same flu vaccine administered via traditional flu shot.