Virtual Course for Managers of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) – EPI Management

Introduction to the course

Over the past decade, immunization coverage in the Region of the Americas has declined for several vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these trends, and the risk of VPD outbreaks in the Region is at its highest point in 30 years. As countries turn their attention to restoring the performance of their national immunization programmes, they need updated training materials to ensure that all managers and vaccinators of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) are familiar with the essential management components of a national EPI and can address the most pressing needs of their programs. By the end of the course, participants will be able to recognize and implement the essential elements of managing a country's key immunization activities.

Purpose

Provide essential up-to-date information on the implementation of the management components of a national EPI, so participants are familiar with the main components and operations of the program.

Competencies

The course provides opportunities to develop the following competencies:

• Conceive the national immunization program as a public health tool that can be adapted to respond to the priorities and needs of its population at any stage of life.
• Develop planning skills to respond to the demand for vaccines within the framework of the Expanded Program on Immunization, and the tools available for an efficient calculation of needs according to the available resources. 
• Identify the operations to be carried out to ensure that all vaccines are properly classified and handled at each stage of the transportation process.
• Identify the activities and resources involved in the design of a training program that responds to the continuing education needs of staff involved in the implementation of a national EPI.
• Recognize the need to develop technical, socio-emotional and support competencies to manage a national EPI.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the strategic framework of the life course approach and its application to a national immunization program.
• Acknowledge the possibilities that PAHO's Revolving Fund for access to Vaccines and its PAHO 173 portal has, which provides Member States the opportunity to estimate their needs in vaccine doses and supplies for the next calendar year.
• Learn about the WHO open vial policy.
• Know the classification of WHO prequalified vaccines, according to their thermostability and presentation.
• Know the processes and requirements for the international transportation of vaccines.
• Identify the stages required to prepare a training program for human resources.
• Know the different types of competencies required of an EPI manager.

This course is developed for:

• Managers of national immunization programs in the Americas.
• Health professionals in primary healthcare services, including immunization services.
• Healthcare professionals who are entering the workforce or who need to update their technical skills.

Course structure

• Module 1: Introduction
• Module 2: Immunization across the life course
• Module 3: Estimation of needs for vaccines and injectable materials
• Module 4: Ensuring vaccine integrity during international transportation
• Module 5: Training for human resources
• Module 6: EPI management

Workload

The course is available on the Virtual Campus for Public Health of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Since it is a self-paced course, participants can determine their time and moments of study. The estimated time for the completion of all the modules and the final evaluation is 7 hours.

Assessment and certification

During the modules, exercises will be proposed to allow you to review the contents. These will be a practice for the final evaluation, which will be available upon completion of all the modules of the course. The final assessment contains 30 multiple-choice or true/false questions. You must achieve 70% of correct answers to pass. Participants who meet the course requirements and complete the Virtual Campus Quality Survey will be able to download their PAHO-issued certificate of completion.

Teaching staff

•               Ghiselli, Dra. Margherita

•               Velandia, Dra. Martha

•               Rodriguez, Ms. Nora Lucia

•               Chevez, Dra. Ana Elena

•               Dos Santos, Ms. Patricia Regina

•               Mata Espinoza, Ms. Alexandra

•               Hommes, Dra. Carolina

•               Balsells, Dra. Evelyn

•               Blanco, Ms. Miriam