The programme provides vaccines against a number of preventable diseases which are
common causes of death and disability amongst children. These include Tuberculosis,
Pertussis, Tetanus, Diptheria, Poliomyelitis, Measles, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis
B, Hempophilus influenza, Pneumococcal pneumonia and Rota-virus diarrhoea.
In 2013, the MoHS conducted a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) demonstration
campaign targeting 9-year-old girls in one of its health districts (Bo). The success
of this campaign will qualify the country to apply to GAVI for a national roll-out of
the HPV vaccine within the routine immunization programme for all girls aged 9-13
years. In addition, Tetanus Toxoid injections are given to pregnant women to protect
infants from neonatal tetanus – a cause of death due mainly to unsanitary conditions
at childbirth.
291.
The EPI is foundational to the improved health and wellbeing of children in Sierra
Leone, not only because it protects them against vaccine-preventable diseases, but
also because it provides a delivery platform for the routine delivery of many other high
impact and cost-effective interventions which have become integrated into the EPI.
Programmes such as deworming, the provision of Lasting Insecticide Impregnated
Nets (to protect children against malaria), Vitamin A and the promotion of health
family practices have been successfully integrated into the EPI to ensure universal
access. The EPI (and all other integrated health programmes) is delivered through
facilities as well as a number of delivery vehicles designed to overcome geographic
access barriers such as outreach activities, defaulter tracing and Supplementary
Immunization Activities through National Immunization Days and Maternal and
Child Health Weeks.
292.
The percentage of children between the ages of 12 and 23 months that are fully
immunized increased from 35 percent in 2005 (MICS 2005) to 68 percent in 2013
(DHS 2013). The percentage of children who have not received any vaccinations
at all decreased from 16 percent in 2008 (DHS, 2008) to 4 percent in 2013 (DHS,
2013).
Figure 9: Percentage children immunized 2005-2013
Sources: MICS, 2005 & DHS, 2013
293.
As is evident from the HMIS data below, the GoSL has achieved good coverage of
Penta-3 and other vaccines over the past five years.
294.
Similarly, there has been a substantial increase in coverage of the Tetanus Toxoid
vaccine from 78 percent of pregnant women in 2005 (MICS, 2005) to 90 percent in
2013 (DHS, 2013).
7. Health and Welfare
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