This course covers the Expanded Programme on Immunisations (EPI) for Health Care Workers in the Western Cape Department of Health. It is a refresher course aimed at providers already authorised to give immunisations.
About the course
Course Design:
Self-directed.
Duration:
It will take you 3 hours to complete.
Eligibility for this course:
- Professional nurses (general and specialty, including CNPs and midwives)
- Enrolled nurses
- Medical officers
Certification:
Participants need to engage with all content.
Published:
October 2023
Course curriculum
The following content is covered in this course:
Chapter 1: Routine EPI Schedule
- The routine immunisation schedule and general information on each vaccine
Chapter 2: Catch-up schedule and immunisation in special circumstances
- BCG; Rotavirus; DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV; PCV; Measles vaccine; Td vaccine
- The catch-up schedule for routine immunisations
- Immunisations in special circumstances
Chapter 3: Notifiable Medical Conditions
- Why it is important to notify
- Who should notify
- When and how to notify
- Modes of transmission, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of NMCs preventable by vaccines in the EPI schedule
- Tuberculosis
- Poliomyelitis
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- Hepatitis B
- Measles
Chapter 4: Cold chain management
- Vaccine movement between facilities
- Cold storage options
- Temperature monitoring
- Cold chain emergency back-up plans
Chapter 5: Preparing for an immunisation session
- How to set up an immunisation room
- Emergency kit
- Routine equipment
- Infection prevention and control
- Hand hygiene
- Personal protective equipment
- Prevention and management of needlestick injuries
Chapter 6: The immunisation consultation
- PACK Child 2023
- Birth-to-two wheel
- How you can use them together to see what needs to be checked routinely at each immunisation session
- What must be shared with the carer in order to obtain informed consent for immunisation,
- Needle safety practices,
- How to manage a sharps injury.
- Vaccine administration:
- Reconstitution of powdered vaccines,
- Measuring the correct dose,
- Administration techniques for IM, subcutaneous, ID and oral vaccines
- Follow-up instructions
Chapter 7: Post-immunisation
- Routine post-immunisation observation
- Mild and minor reactions
- Serious adverse events
- Anaphylaxis
- Fainting
- How to report adverse events
- Adverse Event of Special Interest (AESI) form
- Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) form
- Other reporting platforms
Chapter 8: Documentation of immunisations
- Recording the vaccine in the Road To Health Booklet and on the child integrated clinical stationary
- The immunisation tally sheet
- Capturing electronic dataChapter 9: Immunisations for adults
- Immunisations recommended for adults in special populations: influenza, COVID, tetanus and rabies
- Immunisations recommended for healthcare workers
Chapter 9: Immunisations for adults
- Immunisations recommended for adults in special populations: influenza, COVID, tetanus and rabies
- Immunisations recommended for healthcare workers
