IMMUNIZATION

• Immunization (vaccination) is a way to trigger

immune system and prevent serious, life-threatening
diseases OUTBREAKS

• These vaccines are killed or weakened virus and

whole or part of bacteria.

• They are given mainly by injection (either into the

muscle or beneath the skin) or through the mouth.
• Immunisation is the process of giving vaccines
to the baby with the intention of stimulating
the defense mechanism against infectious
diseases.
 Types of immunization

• Active immunization: It is usually permanent

and gives lifelong immunity.
• Passive immunization: It is temporary and
does not provide lifelong immunity.
IMMUNITY
• When Immune System
confronts this harmless
version of the germ, it
produces antibodies (a
variety of proteins which are
produced in response to
combat any harmful material
that enter into body) and
builds immunity (protection)
against that disease
 Immunity
Natural Immunity- inherited ability to remain resistant
to or unaffected by a specific disease.
• Active - someone is exposed to an illness, the
immune system actually learns from the experience.
The next time it is exposed to the same illness, the
body often recognizes the culprit and sets out to
destroy it.
• Passive - short-term resistance to a specific disease
that has been acquired either through the placenta
from mother to fetus
 Immunity
• Artificial immunity
• Active – live weakened microorganism ( live
attenuated) eg. Mycobacterium bovis, polio,
rubella.
• Passive – antibody from serum. Body no need
to produced antibody to fight antigent. Eg.
Anti tetanus.
 VACCINES

Immunization is the easiest

and safest way to prevent
many infectious diseases.
Vaccines contain small
amounts of a killed or
weakened microorganism
that cause a particular
disease.
 TYPES OF VACCINES
• Attenuated (weakened) live virus is used in
the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
vaccine and the varicella (chicken pox)
vaccine. These vaccines last longer than
other vaccines, but may cause serious
infections in people with compromised
immune systems.
• Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria used
in some vaccines. For example, the
influenza vaccine uses killed virus. These
vaccines are safe, even in people with
compromised immune systems.
 TYPES OF VACCINES
• Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin produced by
the bacterium or virus. For example, the
diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
• Biosynthetic vaccines contain synthetic "man-
made" substances which appear to be
antigens to the immune system. For example,
the Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B)
 Vaccines
• BCG: BCG vaccine protects your child against
tuberculosis. It should be given soon after
birth.
• Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B vaccine protects body
from hepatitis B infection, an infection of the
liver that can lead to liver cancer and many
other liver diseases.
 Vaccines
• Oral polio vaccine (OPV): It provides long-
termprotection against polio. Polio is a viral
infection that can result inpermanent paralysis
• DTP vaccine: DTP vaccine protects from
diphtheria, tetanus and Pertussis
(whoopingcough).
• Measles vaccine: Measles vaccine alone may be
given when MMR is not available.
 Optional vaccines
• Typhoid fever vaccine.
• HiB vaccine against bacterial Meningitis.
• Chicken pox.
• Hepatitis A.
• Pneumococcus against Pneumonia.
• Meningococcus against Meningitis.
Disease Vaccine product Route of giving vaccine

Tuberculosis Weakened bacterium (BCG Beneath the skin in the arm

Diphtheria Modified bacterial toxin(D) DTwP (combination) and

Hib can be given together or
in separate sites into the
muscle of the thigh (if less
than 1 year old) or arm (if
more than 1 year old)

Tetanus same same

Pertussis Modified bacterial toxin(T) same

Haemophilus influenzae Killed bacterium (wP) # same

type b (Hib) Bacterial component (Hib)
Disease Vaccine product Route of giving vaccine

Hepatitis B Viral component (Hep B) Into the muscle of the leg

Poliomyelitis Weakened virus (OPV) Given as a liquid by mouth

Mumps Weakened virus (M) Given as MMR into the

muscle of the thigh

Measles same same

Rubella Weakened virus (R) same

 Side effects of immunization
• All vaccines used are safe and effective and in accordance
with the WHO (World Health Organization)
recommendations.
• The side-effects are mild and self-limiting : fever, local
swelling and pain at the injection sites which will respond
to oral medication (paracetamol).
Serious side-effects are rare:
• Excessive crying, drowsy, pale colour, poor muscle tone
occurring within 48 hours after vaccination
• Sudden onset of skin rashes, breathlessness and
drowsiness
 Precautions & contra-indications to
immunisation
• baby is having an acute illness with body temperature more
than 38 degrees Celsius, the immunisation can be postponed
till the baby recovers.

Live vaccines (OPV, MMR) are contra-indicated if your baby has

weakened body defenses against germs either through a
serious disease or on certain medication (long term steroids,
acute stage of cancer treatment). Once your child condition
has improved, immunisation may be recommenced.

child has a known severe allergic generalised reaction

(anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of vaccination or to any
component of the vaccine.
 Care after immunization
• Reactions usually last 1-2 days and may be
controlled by placing cool cloths on the injection
site and giving extra fluids.
• After immunization, a child with a temperature of
over 38°C (100.4°F) – anti pyretic is recommended
• Reactions to MMR vaccine may include a slight
rash and swollen glands which may appear
between 5-30 days following the injection. This
usually lasts for 1-2 days.
 Cold chain
• Vaccines are sensitive biological substances
that, with time, lose their potency, especially
when exposed to heat, sunlight or fluorescent
light
• Once potency has been lost, it cannot be
restored.  To provide protection against
disease, vaccines need to be distributed,
stored and administered at recommended
temperatures.
 Element of cold chain system
• Series of storage and transport links through a
network of fridges, freezers and cold boxes
that keep vaccines at a safe temperature
throughout their journey. 
A typical cold chain system involves the
following:
• WHO recommends the safe temperature
range – between +2º C to +8º C, for storing
most EPI (Expanded Program on
Immunization) vaccines. 
• OPV is the most heat-sensitive vaccine and
must be kept between -15º C and -25º C.
• BCG, measles, MR, MMR and rubella vaccines are
not only sensitive to heat but also to light. 
Normally, these vaccines are supplied in dark brown
glass vials to protect them against light damage. 
• Hepatitis B, Hib (liquid), DTP, DT, Td and TT vaccines
are sensitive to both heat and freezing (i.e., below
0º C), and should be protected accordingly.
 Controlling and monitoring temperatures

• Vaccine integrity and expiry dates, cold chain

equipment and temperature monitors should be
checked and recorded regularly according to health
care facility policy. 
• Careful planning and recording is especially
important during outreach immunization sessions
where additional vaccine and portable equipment,
such as icepacks and cold boxes, are often necessary.