Universal immunization programme

Universal immunization programme

Immunization is a mass means of protecting the greatest number of people. It has to be planned according to the needs of the situation and the prevailing health issues. Every country has its own immunization schedule to suit the local needs. Under immunization, immunizing agents such as antisera, live vaccines and inactivated or killed vaccines are administered.

Cold Chain and Equipments

The  vaccines  should  be  stored  at  an appropriate temperature (preferably low) and the temperature should be maintained during its transport from the manufacturing site to the actual vaccination site. This system of storage and transport is known as the “cold chain”. If the temperature is not maintained, there is a possibility of vaccine failure. It is expected to maintain 6 rights of supply chain. They are as follows:-

·  Right vaccine

·  Right dose

·  Right site

·  Right time

·  Right condition(temperature)

·  Right person

To maintain cold chain, certain equipments are used in Universal Immunization Programme. They are as follows:-

·  Walk in freezers

·  Walk in coolers

·  Deep freezer

·  Ice lined refrigerator

·  Domestic refrigerator

·  Cold boxes

·  Vaccine carriers

·  Ice pack

Universal Immunization Programme

The World Health Organization officially launched a global immunization programme, known as Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in May 1974, to protect all children of the world against six vaccine –preventable diseases. They are namely diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis and measles. EPI was launched in India in January 1978. This programme is now called as Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in India.

National Immunization Schedule for Infants and Children in India

BCG Vaccination

In addition to the above mentioned vaccines, Rota Virus vaccine & Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is given in selected states.

Diseases and its vaccine