Immunisation

The terms Immunisation and Vaccination will be used interchangeably in this chapter. Further information on immunisation may be found in the Manual for the Zimbabwe Expanded Programme on Immunisation (ZEPI). Information relating to rabies can be found in the chapter on tropical diseases

Some pneumonias, septicaemia and meningitis (caused by Haemophilus Influenza type B and Streptococcus pneumoniae)

= All vaccines should be kept at temperatures of +2°C to +8°C.

EPI recommended vaccines have shown satisfactory sero-conversion rates in early stages of HIV infection. However, the proportion of responders decreases with progression from HIV infection to AIDS.

There are very few absolute contraindications to vaccines. Fever,

All adverse events following immunisation should be reported using the ‘Adverse Events Following Immunisation’ (AEFI) form. Health workers should refer to the ZEPI AEFI guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures

Always check the dosage instructions in the manufacturer's information supplied with the vaccine as strengths may vary.

e Toreduce nosocomial transmission, Measles vaccine should be given on admission to all children six months to 15 years. This admission dose must be recorded on the graph side of the child health card corresponding with the age at which it was given and written vertically. If the child is 9 months and receives the first dose on admission this is charted on the appropriate section of the card.