Inadequate design of immunisation cards in developing countries

The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) aims through immunization to protect children against at least tuberculosis poliomyelitis diphtheria tetanus pertussis and measles. To ensure protection each child must receive at least three doses of oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) three doses of combined diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTP) vaccine and one dose of measles vaccine. The first dose of OPV should be given together with the first dose of DTP vaccine. The same holds true for the second and third doses of the two vaccines. Finally measles vaccine should be given along with the fourth dose of OPV. In actual field settings however often only one antigen is available to administer at any given time. Childrens personal immunization cards should therefore be designed so that the date of each dose of vaccine received can be recorded. These cards in Afghanistan and Burkina Faso have only one box in which to record the dates for the administration of the two vaccines together. Personal immunization cards must instead reflect what is actually delivered in the field and not the ideal. EPI managers and international agencies such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization are urged to ensure that well-designed cards are used in all countries.