INSTITUTE OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES-IAHS

IMMUNIZATION
In Reference to Tanzania ,Discuss immunization in
terms of: Immunization in Children and the RCH
schedule,Immunization in Adults and the RCH
Schedule, Extended Programme of Imunization,
Hazards of Immunization, Precautions,Coverage of
Immunization in Tanzania and ways to achievea
satisfactory immunization coverage.

MACDONA MASALI. 2015-02-

08596
PO301: IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGICAL
ASSIGNMENT PRODUCTS.

PO301
Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease,
typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect
the person against subsequent infection or disease.

Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is
estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health
investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable
populations. It has clearly defined target groups; it can be delivered effectively through outreach activities;
and vaccination does not require any major lifestyle change. In Tanzania immunization is run under the
Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children. The other partners are: World
Health Organization, UNICEF, Clinton Health Access Initiative, PATH International, and The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, John Snow International.

IMMUNIZATION IN CHILDREN.

Immunization in children has been given a very strong emphasis in Tanzania. Services are delivered through
the RCH(Reproductive and Child Health )Section of all health facilities. RCH is effectively operating to
the Dispensary level. Different vaccines are administered to protect children from infectious diseases.
Vaccines for Laryngotracheobronchitis(Kifaduro), Tetanus(Pepopunda), Yellow fever( Homa ya
Manjano), Diptheria(Dondakoo), Pneumonia, Polio and Measles(Surua). For any child to grow with healthy
conditions and for the purpose of preventing death in children, Immunization is a very important. It has
been administered in the following schedule.

ON BIRT DATE:

A new born baby is vaccinated with BCG on the right shoulder subcutaneously. This leaves a permanent
mark. A dose of 0.5 ml is administered. BCG protects against tuberculosis. Also on the same day the baby
gets two oral drops of Polio vaccine. This is called Polio zero.

AFTER SIX WEEKS:

The child gets a second dose of polio vaccine (two drops).This is the beginning of Polio one. This will
repeat once every month for 3 months.

Pentavalent vaccine is also injected (0.5ml) on the left thigh which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and
Laryngotracheobronchitis.

PCV vaccine is also injected (0.5ml) on the right thigh to protect the child against pneumonia. This is
repeated every month for three consecutive months.

ROTA is administered orally which protects against diarrhea caused by Rota Virus. This is repeated after
12 weeks and 18 weeks.

ON THE TENTH WEEK

The child gets the second round of the vaccines given on the sixth week in the same manner as they were
administered.

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ON THE FOURTEENTH WEEK

The child is vaccinated with polio, Pentavalent and PCV. These vaccines are administered as they were in
the sixth week.

ON THE NINTH MONTH.

The child gets the vaccine called MR for measles and Rubella. An injection of 0.5cc on the left shoulder is
administered. This vaccine is repeated at 18 months.

IMMUNIZATION IN ADULTS
Recommended Vaccinations: Routine Immunizations for adult travelers in Tanzania

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Polio

Note: Many of these vaccine preventable illnesses are making a resurgence due to non-vaccination,
incomplete vaccination, and waning immunity.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age, especially for children,
pregnant women, persons over 65, and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, lung
disease, heart disease, immunosuppressive disorders, and organ transplant recipients.

For non-Travelers the following vaccines are recommended:

TETOX (Tetanus Toxoids) these are normally administered to female Tanzanians. The following schedule
applies.

1st Dose any time gives no immunization, 2nd Dose after 1 month gives 3 years protection, 3rd Dose after 6
months gives 5 years protection, 4th Dose after 12 months gives 10 years protection 5th dose after 24 months
gives 20 ears protection.

HPV Human Papilloma Virus vaccine is administered to girls 14 years of age who haven’t given birth. A
dose of 0.5 ml is administered.

Other vaccines: Depending on your age, health

status, lifestyle or occupational risk, that are
recommended: Meningococcal Meningitis,
Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Varicella, Herpes
Zoster, Haemophilius influenza type B,
Rotavirus, and Human Papillomavirus.

Bottles of commonly used vaccines in Tanzania

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EXTENDED PROGRAMME OF IMMUNIZATION (EPI) IN TANZANIA
The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in May
1974 with the objective to vaccinate children throughout the world.
Ten years later, in 1984, the WHO established a standardized vaccination schedule for the original EPI
vaccines: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), oral polio, and measles.
Increased knowledge of the immunologic factors of disease led to new vaccines being developed and added
to the EPI’s list of recommended vaccines: Hepatitis B (HepB), yellow fever in countries endemic for the
disease, and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis (Hib) conjugate vaccine in countries with high burden of
disease.
EPI in Tanzania was established in 1975 (Since 2011 known as IVD: Immunization and Vaccine
Development). EPI focuses on building sustainable immunization systems to protect children against
common vaccine-preventable diseases. Initially 6 vaccines: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, TB,
and measles. Other vaccines have since been integrated: Yellow fever, hepatitis B, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus
vaccines, HPV, MenA, MCV2, etc.
The current goals of the EPI are

 to ensure full immunization of children under one year of age in every district,
 to globally eradicate poliomyelitis,
 to reduce maternal and neonatal tetanus to an incidence rate of less than one case per 1,000 births by
2005,
 to cut in half the number of measles-related deaths that occurred in 1999, and
 to extend all new vaccine and preventative health interventions to children in all districts in the world.
Immunization of pregnant women and WCBA aimed at preventing maternal tetanus and newborn infants
from neonatal tetanus. Introduction of new vaccines currently used as a catalyst to scale up complementary
interventions: (Pneumonia & diarrheal control, cervical cancer prevention & control, etc.). Currently in
Tanzania, 7 vaccines are provided by IVD: BCG, OPV, Pentavalent, PCV13, Rota, Measles Rubella and
Tetanus Toxoid. It also focuses on vaccine preventable disease surveillance

HAZARDS OF IMMUNIZATION:
The following are some of the hazards of immunization: Toxicity, Infectivity, Foreign toxins,
contamination (viral or bacterial), Non sterile apparatus, Local allergy, Anaphylactic shock, Abnormal
sensitivity and disease provocation.

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PRECAUTIONS:
It is necessary to do Good Manufacturing Procedures, Good Laboratory Tests, and to conduct sufficient
clinical tests before vaccines are brought for use. Hygiene is a key to avoiding contamination. In case a
disease erupts it is advised to reach a Doctor soon.
COVERAGE OF IMMUNIZATION IN TANZANIA.
According to WHO, all districts are 100% covered. Immunization services are available to the dispensary
level. Dispensaries are available in almost all Tanzanian villages .Outreach services are also available where
Health workers reach the clients in their streets.

WAYS TO ACHIEVE SATISFACTORY IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE.

Education: More education should be given to the community so as to eliminate the misconceptions about
vaccines.
Counseling: This is necessary because some taboos are prevent vaccination. People have beliefs that
vaccines are bad and against the will of their god.
Ensuring reliable Cold Chain: Vaccines need a cold chain of transportation and storage.
Outreach Services: These help to reach people in the closest proximity.
Improved infrastructure: These will enable timely delivery and at cheap cost of the vaccines.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
1.Isabella Ipopo : Assistant Medical Officer- Incharge –Tambuka Reli Dispensary
2.Teddy Sumuni: RCH Incharge Tambuka Reli Dispensary (0755626753)
3.Ministry of Health Resources.
4.Group mates: SR.Ester, Suleiman, Naomi and Zainabu.