Expanded Program on

Immunization
• Immunization is the process by which vaccines
are introduced into the body before injection
sets in.

• Vaccines are administered to induce immunity

thereby causing the recipient’s immune system
to react to the vaccines that produce antibodies
to fight certain diseases.
• Program was launched on July 1979 by the
Department of Health.
• The main objective is to reduce the morbidity and
mortality among infants and children due to the
different communicable diseases.
• The four major strategies include:
• 1. Sustaining high routine Full Immunized Child
(FIC) coverage of at least 90% in all provinces and
cities,
• 2. Sustaining the polio-free country for
global certification

• 3. Eliminating measles by 2008,

• 4. Eliminating neonatal tetanus by 2008

 The target EPI diseases:
• Measles
• Tuberculosis
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Poliomyelitis
• Neonatal Tetanus
• Hepatitis B
 Vaccine Minimum Age Number Dose Min. Interval Route Site Reason
at 1st Dose of Doses bet. Doses

Bacillus Cal Birth or anytime 1 0.05 mL -- Intradermal Right deltoid BCG given at earliest possible age
mette-Guérin after birth region of the protects the possibility of TB meningitis
arm and other TB infections in which infants
are prone
6 weeks 3 0.5 mL 4 weeks Intramuscular Upper outer An early start with DPT reduces the
portion of the chance of severe pertussis
thigh
Oral Polio V 6 weeks 3 2-3 drops 4 weeks Oral Mouth The extent of protection against polio is
accine increased the earlier the OPV is given.
Keeps the Philippines polio-free.
Hepatitis B V At birth 3 0.5 mL 6 weeks interval Intramuscular Upper outer An early start of Hepatitis B vaccine
accine from portion of the reduces the chance of being infected and
1st dose to 2nd thigh becoming a carrier. It prevents liver
dose, cirrhosis and liver cancer which are more
8 weeks interval likely to develop if infected with Hepatitis
from B early in life.
2nd dose to third
dose.
Measles Vacc 9 months 1 0.5 mL -- Subcutaneous Upper outer At least 85% of measles can be prevented
ine portion of the by immunization at this age.
arms
 Vaccine Minimum Age Number Dose Min. Interval Route Site Reason
at 1st Dose of Doses bet. Doses

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

Diphtheria- 6 weeks 3 0.5 mL 4 weeks Intramuscular Upper outer An early start with DPT reduces the
Pertussis- portion of the chance of severe pertussis
Tetanus thigh
Vaccine

Oral Polio 6 weeks 3 2-3 drops 4 weeks Oral Mouth The extent of protection against polio is
Vaccine increased the earlier the OPV is given.
Keeps the Philippines polio-free.

Hepatitis B At birth 3 0.5 mL 6 weeks interval Intramuscular Upper outer An early start of Hepatitis B vaccine
Vaccine from portion of the reduces the chance of being infected and
1st dose to 2nd thigh becoming a carrier. It prevents liver
dose, cirrhosis and liver cancer which are more
8 weeks interval likely to develop if infected with Hepatitis
from B early in life.
2nd dose to third
dose.

Measles 9 months 1 0.5 mL -- Subcutaneous Upper outer At least 85% of measles can be prevented
Vaccine portion of the by immunization at this age.
arms
 Tetanus Toxoid Immunization
• Tetanus can start from unclean instruments used during cord
cutting and improper cord treatment
• - Tetanus in the newborn can be prevented by giving Tetanus
Toxoid (TT) injections to the mother at least twice given one
month interval to protect both the baby and mother
• - When a mother has received a total of 5 injections, all the
babies that she will deliver should have been protected.