WCGH People Development Centre Online School

This course covers the following content:

• Lesson 1: Introduction of new vaccines  - overview 
  • Background
  • Introduction of TdaP
    • Background
    • NAGI recommendations
    • Implementation
  • Introduction of Rubella containing vaccine (RCV)
    • Background
    • NAGI recommendations
    • Implementation
  • Switch from PCV13 to PCV10
  • Revised EPI routine and catch-up schedules
  • Implementation process
• Lesson 2: Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance
  • Diseases Surveillance
  • AFP surveillance
  • Suspected Measles and Rubella
  • Neonatal Tetanus
  • Adverse Events Following Immunization
  • Bottlenecks and challenges
• Lesson 3: Rubella-Containing Vaccine introduction in the EPI Schedule, South Africa 
  • Background
  • Public Health rationale
  • Vaccine presentation and logistics
  • Updated immunisation schedule
  • MR vaccine administration
  • Vaccine safety surveillance
  • Data management
• Lesson 4: Tetanus, reduced-strength diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
  • Disease description, clinical presentation and burden
  • Vaccines: Tdap
  • Immunisation schedule & transition
  • Immunisation practices including AEFI
  • Data management
• Lesson 5: Switching from PCV13 to PCV10 
  • Background and Public Health rationale (including surveillance)
  • New vaccine characteristics
  • Updated immunisation schedule
  • PCV10 administration
  • Data management
• Lesson 6: Expanded Program on Immunisation in South Africa (EPI-SA)
  • Introduction to new vaccine data elements
  • Extended definitions, Use and context, inclusions and exclusions
  • Replacement of data elements for Measles & Rubella (MR) and Tdap booster doses
  • Interim EPI register with new vaccines
  • Recording Hepatitis B birth dose in Road to Health booklet
• Lesson 7: Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) or Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM)
  • Importance of RCCE in vaccine campaigns
  • Overview of ACSM strategies for effective vaccine promotion
  • Key components for planning and managing ACSM/RCCE activities/li>
  • Strategies for advocacy and social mobilisation
  • Critical role of ACSM/RCCE Team Lead in guiding campaign communication efforts 
• Lesson 8: Vaccine Safety Surveillance
  • Introduction to AEFI, including classification and investigation of symptoms and diseases
  • Roles and responsibilities in vaccine safety surveillance involving healthcare workers, the NDOH, SAHPRA and WHO.
  • Cycle of vaccine safety surveillance in South Africa, emphasizing the importance of case reporting, investigation and causality assessment.
  • Challenges in reporting quality, standardizing investigations, and maintaining vaccine confidence through effective communication strategies.
  • Steps in AEFI investigation and causality assessment classification to ensure vaccine safety and public trust.