EPI essentials : a guide for program officers

To assist in EPI implementation, this handbook expounds the concepts and processes of EPI and is intended primarily for development agency staff who are involved with immunization programs, but are not EPI experts. Chapter I outlines program organization under five components -- Administration and organization, Logistics, Information- education-communication, Vaccines, and Evaluation (ALIVE). Chapter II examines key epidemiological facts on the target diseases (measles, neonatal tetanus, pertussis, polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, and others) and how they affect EPI strategies. It includes a program design checklist for USAID Missions or PVO"s implementing immunization projects. Chapter III, the heart of the manual, explains the inner workings of an immunization program, including delivery strategies, vaccination schedules and individual vaccines and their administration, logistics (the cold chain, injection equipment), health worker training, and socio-behavioral aspects. Program evaluation is highlighted in Chapter IV, covering monitoring and supervision, vaccination coverage assessments and reporting, disease surveillance, cost analyses, and rapid and comprehensive program evaluation. It stresses the need for evaluation at all levels -- local (where vaccine is given), regional/district, and national. The difficulty of sustaining an EPI is discussed briefly in conclusion. An appendix indicates sources of information and equipment, books and manuals, articles, audiovisuals, and newsletters.