Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) are infectious diseases for which an effective vaccine is available. Currently, WHO list of available vaccines covers 26 diseases. Among these diseases are poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, Haemophilus influenza serotype B infection, hepatitis B, and yellow fever. WHO recommends the use of vaccine as VPDs are major causes of morbidity and mortality across the globe. WHO estimated that vaccination prevents more than 2 million deaths each year. However, some individuals and communities are not vaccinated in a timely manner due to financial constraints, lack of awareness, and access issues.

1. Identify VPDs of public health importance
2. List the main clinical features of each disease together with case definition
3. Identify the disease specific agent, reservoir, human host, and the mode of transmission
4. Describe the life cycle of the disease
5. Estimate the disease burden and analyze its determinants
6. List the recommended control methods and assess possibility of elimination/eradication
7. Understand vaccine cold chain and its management