The Concept and Importance of

Vaccination
 Immunization is the process by which
vaccines are introduce into the body before
infection sets in.
 Vaccines are administered to induce immunity
thereby causing the recipient’s immune system
to react to the vaccine that produces antibodies
to fight infection.
There are several general principles
which apply in vaccinating children:
 It is safe immunologically effective to
administer all EPI vaccines on the same
day at different site of the body.
 The vaccination schedule should not be
restarted from the beginning even if the
interval between doses exceeded the
recommended interval by months or
years.
 It is safe and effective with mild side
effects after vaccination. Local reaction,
fever and systematic symptoms can result
as part of the normal immune response.
 Giving doses of a vaccines at less than
the recommended 4 weeks interval may
lessen the antibody response.
Lengthening the interval between doses
of vaccines leads to higher antibody
levels.
 No extra doses must be given to children who missed
a dose of DPT/HB/OPV/Tetanoid Toxoid. The
vaccination must be continued as if no time had
elapse between doses.
 False contraindications to immunization are children
with malnutrition, low grade fever, mild respiratory
infections and other minor illnesses and diarrhea
should not be considered a contraindication to OPV
vaccination. Repeat BCG vaccination if the child
does not develop a scar after the 1st injection.
 Use one syringe one needle per child during
vaccination.
 Because measles kills, every infant needs to be
vaccinated against measles at the age of 9
months or as soon as possible after 9 months
as part of the routine infant vaccination
schedule. It is safe to vaccinate a sick child
who is suffering from a minor illness (cough,
cold, diarrhea, fever or malnutrition) or who
has already been vaccinated against measles .
 If the vaccination schedule is interrupted, it is
not necessary to restart. Instead, the schedule
should be resumed using minimal intervals
between doses to catch up as quickly as
possible.
 Vaccine combinations (few exceptions),
antibiotics, low-dose steroids (less than 20mg
per day), minor infections with low fever
(below 38.5º Celsius), diarrhea, malnutrition,
kidney or liver disease, heart or lung disease,
non-progressive encephalopathy, well
controlled epilepsy or advanced age, are not
contraindications to vaccination. Contrary to
what the majority of doctors may think,
vaccines against hepatitis B and tetanus can be
applied in any period of the pregnancy.
 There are very few true contraindication and
precaution conditions. Only two of these conditions
are generally considered to be permanent: severe
(anaphylactic) allergic reaction to a vaccine
component or following a prior dose of a vaccine, and
encephalopathy not due to another identifiable cause
occurring within 7 days of pertussis vaccination[14].
 Only the diluent supplied by the manufacturer should
be used to reconstitute a freeze-dried vaccine. A
sterile needle and sterile syringe must be used for
each vial for adding the diluent to the powder in a
single vial or ampoule of freeze-dried vaccine.
Routine Immunization Schedule For
Infants
 The standard routine immunization schedule
for infants is adopted to provide maximum
immunity against the seven vaccines
preventable diseases before a child’s first day.
A child is said to be “Fully Immunized Child”
when a child receives one dose of BCG, 3
doses of OPV, 3 doses of DPT, 3 doses of HB
and one dose of measles before a child’s 1st
birthday.
Vaccines Minimu Number Minimum Reason
m Age at of doses interval
1st dose between
doses
BCG Birth or 1 BCG given at
anytime earliest
after birth possible age
protects the
possibility of
TB
meningitis
and other TB
infectious in
which infants
are prone.
Vaccines Minimu Number Minimu Reason
m Age at of doses m
1st dose interval
between
doses

DPT 6 weeks 3 4 weeks An early

start with
DPT
reduces
the
chance of
severe
pertussis
Vaccines Minimum Number of Minimum Reason
Age at 1st doses interval
dose between
doses

OPV 6 weeks 3 4 weeks The extent

of protection
against polio
is increased
the earlier
OPV is
given.
Vaccines Minimum Number of Minimum Reason
Age at 1st doses interval
dose between
doses

Hepa B At birth 3 6 weeks An early start of

interval from Hepa B reduces
1st dose to the chances of
2nd dose and being infected and
8 weeks becoming a
interval from carrier. Prevent
2nd dose to liver cirrhosis and
3rd dose liver cancer. About
9000 die of
complications of
HB. 10% of
Filipinos have
chronic HB
infection.
Vaccines Minimum Number Minimum Reason
Age at 1st of doses interval
dose between
doses

Measles 9 months At least 85%

measles can be
prevented by
immunization
at this age.
Prevent deaths,
malnutrition,
pneumonia,
diarrhea.
Vaccines Dose Route of Site of
Administratio Administratio
n n
BCG Infants 0.05 Intradermal Right deltoid
mL
DPT 0.5 mL Intramuscular Upper outer
portion of the
thigh
OPV 2 drops or Oral mouth
depending on
manufacturer
’s
instructions
Vaccines Dose Route of Site of
Administratio Administratio
n n

Measles 0.5 mL Subcutaneous Outer part of

the upper arm
Hepa B 0.5 mL Intramuscular Upper outer
portion of the
thigh
Tetanus 0.5 mL Intramuscular Deltoid region
Toxoid of the upper
arm
 VACCINE MINIMUM PERCENT DURATION OF
AGE/INTERVAL PROTECTED PROTECTION
TT1 As early as possible
during pregnancy
F
TT2 At least 4 weeks 80% •Infants born to the
later mother will be
protected from
neonatal tetanus
•Gives 3 yrs protection
for the mother
TT3 At least 6 mos later 95% •Gives 5 yrs
protection for the
mother
TT4 At least 1 yr later 99% •Gives 10 yrs
protection for the
mother
TT5 At least 1 yr later 99% •Gives lifetime
protection for the
mother
•All infants born to
that mother will be
protected
 EPI VACCINES AND ITS
CHARACTERISTICS
TYPE/FORM OF STORAGE
VACCINES TEMPERATURE
Most sensitive to heat Oral Polio ( live  -15c to – 25c ( at the
attenuated) freezer)
 -15c to -25c ( at the
Measles (freeze died) freezer)

Least sensitive to Heat DPT/ Hep B  +2c to +8c ( in the body

of the ref)
“D” Toxoid which is a
weakened toxin

“P” Killed bacteria

“T” Toxoid which is a

weakened toxin
Hep B  +2c to +8C In the body
of refrigerator

BCG ( freeze died)  2c to +8C In the body

of refrigerator
Tetanus Toxiod
 EPI TARGET DISEASES
 MEASLES
 TUBERCULOSIS
 DIPTHERIA
 PERTUSSIS
 POLIOMYELITIS
 NEONATAL TETANUS
 HEPATITIS B