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Isaga, Pacelen T.

The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the Philippines began in July 1979. And, in 1986, made a response to the Universal Child Immunization goal. The four major strategies include: Sustaining high routine Full Immunized Child (FIC) coverage of at least 90% in all provinces and cities, Sustaining the polio-free country for global certification Eliminating measles by 2008, Eliminating neonatal tetanus by 2008.

Every Wednesday is designated as immunization day and is adopted in all parts of the country. Immunization is done monthly in barangay health stations, quarterly in remote areas of the country.

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 20 mg per day), minor infections with low fever (below 38.5 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. 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. The only way to be completely safe from exposure to bloodborne diseases from injections, particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is to use one sterile needle, one sterile syringe for each child.

Vaccin Minimu e m age at 1st dose

# of dose s

Dose

Minimal route interval bet. doses

site

Reason

BCG

Birth or anytime after birth

0.05 mL

--

Intra derm aL

Righ t delto id regio n of the arm

BCG given at earliest possible age protects the possibility of TB meningitis and other TB infections in which infants are prone

Vaccin e

Min.ag e at 1st dose


6 weeks

# of doses

Dose

Min. Route interval bet.dos es


4 weeks

Site

reason

DPT

0.5 mL

Intram Upper uscular outer portion of the thigh

An early start with DPT reduce s the chance of severe pertuss is

Vaccin Min.ag # of e e at 1st dos dose es


OPV 6 weeks 3

Dose

Min. Rou interval te bet.dose s


4 weeks

Site

reason

2-3 drops

Oral Mouth

The extent of protection against polio is increased the earlier the OPV is given. Keeps the Philippines polio-free.

Vacci Min.a ne ge at 1st dose Hepa At B birth

# Do Min. Rout of se interval e dos bet.doses es 3 0. 6 weeks 5 interval mL from 1st dose to 2nd dose, 8 weeks interval from 2nd dose to third dose.

Site

reason

Intra Uppe An early start of mus r Hepatitis B vaccine cular oute reduces the chance of r being infected and porti becoming a carrier. on of Prevents liver the cirrhosis and liver thigh cancer which are more likely to develop if infected with Hepatitis B early in life. About 9,000 die of complications of Hepatits B. 10% of

Vaccin e

Min.ag e at 1st dose

# of dose s

Dose

Min. Route Site interva l bet.do ses


-Subc Upper utane outer ous portio n of the arms

reason

measle s

9 1 months

0.5 mL

At least 85% of measles can be prevented by immunizatio n at this age.

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