EXPANDED PROGRAM ON

IMMUNIZATION (PHILIPPINES)
 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:[1]
 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.

Routine Schedule of Immunization
 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.
Routine Immunization Schedule for Infants
 The standard routine immunization schedule for infants
in the Philippines is adopted to provide maximum
immunity against the seven vaccine preventable diseases
in the country before the child's first birthday. The fully
immunized child must have completed BCG 1, DPT 1,
DPT 2, DPT 3, OPV 1, OPV 2, OPV 3, HB 1, HB 2, HB
3 and measles vaccines before the child is 12 months of
age[2].
 Minimum
Minimum Age Number Interval
Vaccine Dose Route Site Reason
at 1st Dose of Doses Between
Doses

BCG given at
earliest
possible age
protects the
Birth or Right deltoid
possibility of
Bacillus Calmett anytime after 1 0.05 mL -- Intradermal region of the
e-Guérin TB meningitis
birth arm
and other TB
infections in
which infants
are prone[3]

An early start
with DPT
Upper outer
reduces the
Diphtheria-Pertu 6 weeks 3 0.5 mL 4 weeks Intramuscular portion of the
ssis-Tetanus Va chance of
thigh
ccine severe
pertussis[4].
 The extent of protection against polio is
2-3
Oral Polio Vac 6 weeks 3 4 weeks Oral Mouth increased the earlier the OPV is given.
cine drops
Keeps the Philippines polio-free[5].

6 weeks
interval An early start of Hepatitis B vaccine reduces
from the chance of being infected and becoming a
1st dose to Upper carrier[6].
2nd dose, Intramusc outer Prevents liver cirrhosis and liver cancer which
Hepatitis B Va At birth 3 0.5 mL
ccine 8 weeks ular portion of are more likely to develop if infected with
interval the thigh Hepatitis B early in life[7][8].
from About 9,000 die of complications of Hepatits
2nd dose to B. 10% of Filipinos have Hepatitis B infection[9]
third dose.

Upper
Measles Vacci
ne 9 Subcutane outer At least 85% of measles can be prevented by
1 0.5 mL --
months ous portion of immunization at this age[10].
(not MMR) the arms
 General Principles in Infants/Children Immunization
 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[11].
 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.[12].
 Vaccine combinations (few exceptions), antibiotics, low-dose steroids
(less than 20 mg 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[13].
 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[15].
The only way to be completely safe from exposure to blood-
borne 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[16]