Summary

In this Study Session, you have learned that:

• Immunity is a state in which the body has sufficient defence to be able to resist the development of communicable diseases caused by infectious agents.
• Vaccines can be prepared as live-attenuated or killed (inactivated) vaccines, or as sub-unit, recombinant or conjugate vaccines.
• The vaccine-preventable diseases targeted in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Ethiopia are: poliomyelitis (polio), measles, tuberculosis (TB), diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, pneumonia and meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenza type b bacteria, pneumonia and other infections caused by Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria, hepatitis B diseases of the liver and diarrheal disease caused by rotaviruses.
• To achieve the objectives of the EPI, you have an important role in implementing the national strategies to increase and sustain high immunization coverage, increase the quality of the immunization service, reduce missed vaccinations and trace defaulters, improve public awareness and community participation in immunization programmers, and ensure prompt reporting and improved control of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Five key operational components Immunization activities are service delivery, logistics, vaccine supply and quality, disease surveillance, advocacy and communication. Also, sustainable financing, effective management and strong human and institutional resources are also required.