COMMUNITY HEALTH AND THE

EXPANDED PROGRAM ON
IMMUNIZATION

By: Hoang Tran

PCM II
 Expanded Program on Immunization
(EPI)

 The program was launched in July 1976 by

the Department of Health in cooperation with
the WHO and UNICEF
 The original objective was to reduce the
morbidity and mortality among infants and
children due to the six immunizable diseases
 Six Immunizable Diseases

1. Primary Complex
2. Diptheria
3. Pertussis
4. Polio
5. Measles
6. Tetanus
Program Principles
 The program is based on the epidemiologic studies
 the immunization schedules are based on the occurrence and
characteristics of the epidemiological features of the diseases
 The whole community is the target of EPI
 Mass approach, not individuals based
 Immunization is a basic health service and as such it
is considered the first line health unit
 Elements of EPI

 Use of healthcare process to evaluate the

program performance
 Use surveillance and epidemiological
approaches
 Education and Information based
 Cold chain management
 Target setting
 Legal Codes Related to EPI
 PPC No.996 (September 16, 1976)
– Compulsory immunization for children below the age of
eight
 PPC No. 6 (April 3, 1986)
– UN’s goal to dessimentate Universal Child Immunization by
1990
 PPC No. 46 (September 16, 1992)
– Reaffirming the commitment of the Philippines to the
universal Child and Mother Immunization goal of the World
Health Assembly
 Legal Codes Related to EPI
 PPC No. 147 (March 3, 1993)
– Declared in April 21 and May 19, 1993 and every third
Wednesday of January and February thereafter, for 2 years,
as National Immunization Days
 RA 7846 (December 30, 1994)
– Compulsory hepatitis B for children below eight years old
 PP No. 773 (March 28, 1996)
– Declaring April 17 and May 15, 1996 and every 3rd
Wednesday of April and May from 1996 to 2000 as “Knock
Out Polio Days”
 Legal Codes Related to EPI

 PP No. 1066 (August 26, 1997)

– National Tetanus Elimination starting 1997
 PP No. 1064 (August 27, 1997)
– All sectors are invited to join the eradication of
polio in the Philippines
 Immunization Schedule for Infants
Vaccine Min Age at Doses Min Reasons
1st dose interval

BCG Birth or 1 Protect

anytime infection from
after birth family

DPT 6 weeks 3 4 Reduces the

weeks chance of
severe
pertussis
 Immunization Schedule for Infants
Vaccine Min Age at 1st Doses Min Reasons
dose interval
OPV 6 weeks 3 4 wks. Protection
against polio
Hepa. B 6 weeks 3 4 wks. Reduces
chances of being
infected
Measles 9 months 1 80% of measles
can be prevented
at this age.
 Fully Immunized Children

 Child is considered fully immunized if he or

she completed 1 dose of BCG,3 dose of
hepa B, 3 dose of DPT,3 dose of OPV and 1
dose of measles before reaching the 1st
birthday
THANK YOU