Key messages to remember to tell parents or caregivers
Every child has a right to be immunized and
it is the duty of the parents and caregivers
to take their children for immunization.
It is better to immunize your child than spend many
days in the hospital taking care of your child with measles
disease/pneumonia etc.
Vaccines are safe and effective. They do
not cause disease nor do they kill. They save lives.
Take any child below 15 years of age who
suddenly (or quickly) develops paralysis or
inability to use any of their arms or legs to
the nearest health facility.
Make sure you complete all the doses
required as indicated on the immunization schedule.
It is possible that your child may develop mild
reactions after immunization e.g. fever and
pain. You can give panadol and if the pain continues or
if there is any other reaction or concern and you think it is
immunizationcausing that, take the child to the nearest
health facility immediately.
design: ANIPS AGENCIES_0772603469/0712267419
(name your country)
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Adverse Events FollowingImmunisation(AEFI’s)
What Voluntary Health Teams and Community Mobilisers need to know.
Produced by Uganda National Expanded
Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI) and
Health Promotion & Education Division,
Minisrty of Health - Uganda.
Printed with support from WHO and partners
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Title of flyer/pamplet
Introduction
Immunisation protects children against specific diseases by
building up the body’s defense system. This is done by giving
vaccines either through injections or by mouth. The current
childhood immunizable diseases include: Tuberculosis,
diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B, measles, tetanus,
polio, meningitis, and pneumonia. Vaccines for Rotavirus
and Pnuemococal germs will soon be introduced. Women
of child bearing age are also vaccinated to prevent tetanus
and cervical cancer among others. (Insert what vaccines you have in your country schedule)
Vaccines are usually given to healthy peopleespecially
Childrenand are among the safest ofmedicines.
The vaccines used have been proven over manyyears to be
very safe and effective. However, in rare instances, some
people may experience AdverseEvents Following
Immunization (AEFI).
These range frommild side effects that are easily treatable, to serious (but very rare)illnesses.
The benefitsof immunization against diseases remain more important.
This leaflet has been developed for Village Health Teams
(VHTs) and Community Mobilisers to help them know how
to recognize AEFIs and the appropriate actions required to
take in case they occur.
What is an Adverse Events Following Immunisation
(AEFI’s)?
Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) are medical
incidents or reactions observed within four weeks following
immunization and are believed by the caretaker or
community to be caused by vaccination.(Is the 4 week time frame correct?)
What AEFIs are reported in xxxxx (name your country?)
Reported adverse events following immunization can either
be true, coincidental or due to existing health problems.
The events range from: vaccinereactions which may be caused by the nature of the vaccine;injection reactions due to anxiety or pain from the injection itself. I
In some instances, the cause of the AEFI is unknown.
What are the responsibilities of the VHTs?
VHTs and Community mobilisers should:
- Be informed about the expected mild AEFI.
- Immediately report to the nearest health facility in
case of any concern regarding a suspected AEFI.
- Report any other suspected AEFI in the community.
- Educate and communicate with parents and child caregivers on the benefits of taking their children for immunizationand completing the schedule.