The vaccine-preventable diseases included in the EPI in Ethiopia are:
- tuberculosis (TB)
- poliomyelitis (polio)
- diphtheria
- pertussis (whooping cough)
- tetanus
- measles
- pneumonia and meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria
- liver disease caused by hepatitis B viruses
- pneumonia and other infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria
- diarrhoeal diseases caused by rotaviruses (joining the EPI soon).
In order to achieve the EPI objectives, the FMOH has outlined five strategies that are applicable throughout the country (see Box 1.1 on the next page). Next we will examine each of them in turn and consider what you can do to progress these strategies.
Box 1.1 EPI strategies
- Increase and sustain high immunization coverage rates
- Increase the quality of immunization services
- Reduce missed vaccination opportunities and trace defaulters
- Improve public awareness and community participation in immunization programmes
- Ensure prompt reporting and improved control of vaccine-preventable diseases.