IMMUNIZATION PROCEDURE

PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN TAKING HISTORY OF A NEWLY REGISTERED CHILD

The taking of accurate immunization history on a newly registered child is an indispensable aspect of any immunization exercise that must be centered on the following points;

i. Know the name and date of birth of the child

ii. Know the address of the parents of the child

iii. Find out if the mother had sent the child for immunization before

iv. Know the immunization the child has had before. if none, tell the mother the immunization you are going to give the child

v. Note the history of any allergic reactions. This will help you guard against any future occurrence.

vi. Note sites of immunization points (scars on the body of the child). This will also enable you know if the child has been immunized or not, especially where the mother is illiterate and cannot recall accurate immunization history of the child.

vii. Tell the mother the follow up instructions emphasizing that five (5) visits to the clinic make for absolute protection against the childhood killer diseases as outlined below:

➢ 1st visit at birth, a child must receive BCG and OPV0

➢ 2nd visit at six (6) weeks of age, the child must receive DPT1 and OPV1

➢ 3rd visit at ten (10) weeks of age, the child should receive DPT2 and OPV2

➢ 4th visit at fourteen (14) weeks of age, the child should receive DPT3 and OPV3

➢ 5th visit at nine (9) months of age, the child should receive measles vaccine

CONTENTS OF IMMUNIZATION TRAY

The immunization tray contains the following;

1. ICE PACK

The ice pack maintains the vaccines at their various recommended storage temperatures. For BCG and OPV, they should be placed on top of the ice pack at the storage temperature of -150 to -250c. DPT and TT should be kept at the sites of the ice pack because of their storage temperature of +40 to -80c.

2. TWO KIDNEY DISH WITH COVER

One (1) sterile kidney dish should contain various needles of 26G for BCG, 23G for DPT and measles respectively. It should also contain 0.1ml syringe for BCG, 1ml for DPT and 2ml for measles.

The other kidney dish should be used as a waste receiver for syringes and needles.

3. TWO GALLEY POTS

One (1) galley pot should contain cotton wool balls which are in sterile water for skin cleansing. Whereas, the second galley pot should contain sterile water for syringes and needles flushing.

4. A JAR/JUG

Jar/Jug of sterile water. 

5. TWO DISSECTING FORCEPS

Two dissecting forceps used for picking sterile cotton swabs, needles and syringes and also for opening vials.