Today is our topic of discussion Expanded Program on Immunization
Expanded Program on Immunization
Definition:
The EPI is a WHO program with the goal to make vaccines available to all children throughout the world to reduce child deaths from the vaccine-preventable diseases.
The programme covers nine diseases to infants and children under-5 and at free of cost.
Table: EPI schedule (currently practiced in Bangladesh)
Table: Diseases with their causative agent under EPI
History of EPI:
The EPI program in Bangladesh was inaugurated on April 7, 1979 (World Health Day). At that time, the service was limited to selected number of upazila health complex, major hospitals and some NGOs. In compliance with the Global Universal Child Immunization Initiative (UCI), GoB taken up phase-wise process of EPI intensification. Now, the programme is running in all the upazilas, municipalities and city corporations.
Aims & objectives:
1. Reduction of child mortality and morbidity from VPDs through conventional vaccines initially and gradual inclusion of unconventional vaccines.
2. To achieve interruption of indigenous wild poliovirus transmission.
3. To sustain elimination of neonatal tetanus status (<1 neonatal death per 1000 live birth).
4. To reduce measles morbidity and mortality.
5. To reduce the prevalence of HepB chronic infection (HbsAg) among 3-5-year old children.
6. To eliminate vitamin A deficiency in children aged <5 years.
7. Eliminate the risk of transmission of blood-borne infections associated with injections of EPI.
Advantage:
EPI program continues to prevent about 200,000 deaths annually in Bangladesh.
Conditions for use of vaccine vials (for immunization up to 4 weeks):
1. The expiry date has not passed.
2. The vaccines are stored under appropriate cold chain conditions (+2° to +8°C).
3. The vaccine vial septum has not been submerged in water
4. Aseptic technique has been used to withdraw all doses
5. The VVM, if attached, has not reached discard point.
Number of doses in individual vials:
1. BCG-20 doses
2. Penta-1 dose
3. OPV-10 doses
4. Measles 10 doses
5. TT-10 doses
EPI plus
The concept of EPI-plus was evolved from the integration of EPI activities with family planning. It means immunization of the infant against 8 communicable diseases under EPI along with –
1. Vitamin A supplementation & anti-helminthic (Vitamin A-plus campaign)
2. ORS distribution
3. FP counselling to the mother
4. Iron, folic acid supply and nutritional counselling (iodine intake etc.) to mother and adolescent girl.
5. Screening risk delivery
6. Health education
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