EXPANDED

PROGRAM
on
IMMUNIZATION
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
was established in 1976 to ensure that
infants/children and mothers have access to
routinely recommended infant/childhood vaccines.
Six vaccine-preventable diseases were initially
included in the EPI: tuberculosis, poliomyelitis,
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and measles.
In 1986, 21.3% “fully immunized” children less
than fourteen months of age based on the EPI
Comprehensive Program review.
 GOAL
To reduce the morbidity and mortality among children
against the most common vaccine-preventable diseases.
Specific Goals:
1. To immunize all infants/children against the most
common vaccine-preventable diseases.
2. To sustain the polio-free status of the Philippines.
3. To eliminate measles infection.
4. To eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus
5. To control diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis b and
German measles.
6. To prevent extra pulmonary tuberculosis among
children.
Vaccine Content Form & # of Route
Dosage Doses
BCG Live attenuated Freeze dried 1 ID
bacteria infant- 0.05ml
Preschool-
0.1ml
DPT DT- weakened liquid-0.5ml 3 IM
toxin
P-killed
bacteria
OPV weakened liquid-2drops 3 Oral
virus
Hepa B Plasma Liquid-0.5ml 3 IM
derivative
Measles Weakened Freeze dried- 1 Subcutaneous
virus 0.5ml
Vaccine Age at Interval between Protection
1st dose dose
BCG At birth    
DPT 6 weeks 4 weeks DPT
OPV 6weeks 4weeks Poliomyelitis
Hepa B @ birth @birth,6th week,1 Hepa-B
4th week
Measles 9mos.-   measles
11mos.
 6 months – earliest dose of measles given in case
of outbreak
 9months-11months– regular schedule of measles
vaccine
 15 months– latest dose of measles given

 4-5 years old– catch up dose

 Fully Immunized Child (FIC)- less than 12 months

old child with complete immunizations of DPT,
OPV, BCG, Anti Hepatitis, Anti measles.
 There is no contraindication to immunization
except when the child is immunosuppressed
or is very, very ill (but not slight fever or cold).
Or if the child experienced convulsions after a
DPT or measles vaccine, report such to the
doctor immediately.
 Malnutrition is not a contraindication for
immunizing children rather, it is an indication
for immunization since common childhood
diseases are often severe to malnourished
children.
Cold Chain under EPI:
Cold Chain is a system used to maintain potency of
a vaccine from that of manufacture to the time it is
given to child or pregnant woman.
The allowable timeframes for the storage of
vaccines at different levels are:
 6months- Regional Level
 3months- Provincial Level/District Level
 1month-main health centers-with ref.
 Not more than 5days- Health canters using
transport boxes.
Most sensitive to heat:  Freezer 
(-15 to -25 degrees C)
• OPV
• Measles
Sensitive to heat and freezing (body of ref. +2 to
+8 degrees Celsius)
• BCG
• DPT
• Hepa B
• TT
 Use those that will expire first, mark “X”/ exposure,
3rd– discard,
FEFO (“first expiry and first out”) – vaccine is
practiced to assure that all vaccines are utilized
before the expiry date.
• Proper arrangement of vaccines and/or labelling of
vaccines expiry date are done to identify those
near to expire vaccines.
Vaccines and cold chain management
• Upgraded the cold chain equipment in the 80
provinces, 38 cities and 16 regions since 2003.
• An effective vaccine management assessment
was conducted last December 2011 and
revealed cold chain capacity gaps from the
national up to the implementers level.
• A total of PhP 267 million is required to address
the gaps identified during the assessment.