ABSTRACT

Jessa Cornelia P. San Agustin, Micah A. Balingasa, Janine G. Brimon and Aira D. Espana,’’THE LEVEL OF IMPLEMENTATON OF HANDLING VACCINES ON EXPANDED PROGRAM OF IMMUNIZATION IN CAMALIG, ALBAY ,” (An undergraduate thesis, Aquinas University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Rawis, Legazpi City).

This study is a descriptive quantitative method of research. A survey was conducted using valid questionnaires. The questionnaires comprised of different indicators related to the extent of handling vaccines on expanded program of immunization in the Municipality of Camalig, Albay.
This study aimed to assess the level of handling vaccines along with cold chain method of the expanded program of immunization in Camalig, Albay. Specifically this sought answers to the following questions: 1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of: a. Age b. Civil Status c. Length of Service in the Community; 2. What is the level of implementation of handling vaccines along: a. Vaccine Storage and Delivery b. Vaccine Temperature Monitoring c. Fridge Maintenance; 3. What are the problems encountered by midwives in handling of vaccines?; 4. What measures may be proposed to enhance effective handling of vaccines? Based on the analyzed and interpreted data, the following findings were generated. The level of implementation of handling vaccines on Expanded Program of Immunization in Camalig, Albay showed the following findings. In Demographic Profile of the Respondents, Age of the Respondents. Of the 14 respondents, it showed
that 4 of the respondents tallied a high frequency in the age bracket of 51-55 which has a percentage of 29%. 3 respondents have the age bracket of 31-45 with a percentage of 21%. From the data, this might implied that the respondents have long exposure in their field and service in the government. It can be gleaned from this table that ages 31-45 has the lowest respondents of all. Civil Status of the Respondents. Out of 14 respondents, 11 of them were married with 79% and the remaining 3 were single. The data showed that most of the respondents were married. This means that they have already bonded about family culture. Years in Service of the Respondents. Out of 14 midwives, half of themserved in the government for 6-15 years with a percentage of 50%. The least goes to lb- 25 years in service were no respondent at all. In Level of Implementation of Handling Vaccines on Expanded Program of Immunization, Vaccine Storage and Delivery. It can be noted that the storage of vaccines and delivery reveals that “the vaccine is stored in a designated vaccine fridge, with a highest weighted mean of 4.9. The strategy “lower drawers of the fridge are filled with bottles of salt water to stabilize fridge temperature” has the lowest weighted mean of 2.5. According to Monash Division of General Practice. The vaccines are stored in a dedicated vaccine fridge (no food or drink in fridge). Vaccine fridge door openings are kept to a minimum. There is a sticker on the fridge door ‘stop, vaccine fridge. Do you need to open it?’ Vaccine is stored on the middle and upper shelves of the fridge. Space is maintained between vaccine packages and the evaporation plate. Vaccine Temperature Monitoring. In terms of vaccine monitoring, it shows that the fridge monitoring has maximum/minimum thermometer therefore it is always applied, it has the range of the most highest of 4.79, it shows that it has the most applicable when in vaccine temperature monitoring; the third strategy states that it is often applied when the reset button of the thermometer is press every after recording the temperature of the
vaccines it has the range of 4.21 which has the lowest weighted mean. According to WHO, they no longer recommends that freeze-dried vaccines such as BCG, measles and Yellow fever be kept frozen at -20° C. Storing them at this temperature is not harmful to the vaccines but takes up unnecessary deep-freeze storage space. Fridge Maintenance.

The strategy There is 10cm space around the fridge to allow ventilation”, bis a highest weighted mean of 5.29, while the strategy “The fridge is defrosted regularly to prevent ice buildings up”, weighted mean is 4 29 mean which is lowest In Problems that may Encountered by Midwives in Handling of Vaccines, in strategy 3 which has a highest weighted mean of 4.43 which is “insufficient instructions or demonstration from the CHV
regarding importance of cold chain method”. The lowest weighted mean is 4 which are “In different staff in the city health unit.” According to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) this report describes proper storage units and storage temperatures, outlines appropriate temperature-monitoring practices, and recommends steps for evaluating a temperature-monitoring program. The success of efforts against vaccine-preventable diseases is attributable in part to proper storage and handling of vaccines. In Measures Proposed to Enhance Effective Handling of Vaccines, the measures that may propose to enhance the efficacy of handling of vaccines are the following: Proper Storage and Delivery of Vaccines, Fridge Maintenance, and Vaccine Temperature Monitoring. This ways within immunization period, immunize all eligible children within the area can be guaranteed that it can lessen the acquired diseases in their community. All personnel responsible for handling vaccines should be familiar with standard procedures designed to minimize the risk of vaccine failure. There are three
basic elements needed to assure that vaccines are handled properly: the right equipment, well-trained people and standard operating procedures. This gives an overview of proper storage and handling practices for the novice and provides a quick refresher course for those already aware of the special storage and handling vaccines require. Based on the foregoing findings, the following conclusions were drawn. In
% Demographic Profile of the Respondents, it was implied that with their age and service, the higher the years in service the longer the exposure in their field. Their job can also be affected due to their in capabilities to work longer. In Level of Implementation of Handling Vaccines on Expanded Program of Immunization, during implementation along vaccine storage and delivery; vaccine temperature monitoring and fridge maintenance the midwives were guided by the protocols on maintaining the cold chain management. Regular updating the maintenance of temperature record of every equipment are the only tools for cold chain integrity which they usually checked during and after delivery. In Problems Encountered by midwives in Handling of Vaccines, the most often encountered problems in handling vaccines are lacked of support personnel and delayed of supply of the vaccines. With the result of this the Factors that may contribute to the problems encountered in the implementation of Expanded Program of Immunization has been met and taken actions to help establish the proper way of handling the vaccines. In Measures Proposed to Enhance Effective Handling of Vaccines, to enhance the efficacy of handling of vaccines the midwives used some measures to maintain vaccine potency.

The following recommendations were formulated, based on the findings and conclusions. The midwives who are higher length in service should be updated with the new trends and protocols about cold chain management. They should have an adjustment to the refrigerator control and it always documented to the logbook. They should reset button of the thermometer and it is pressed every after recording the temperature of the They should maintain that there is 10cm space around the fridge to allow ventilation. They should defrost fridge regularly to prevent ice building up. The RHU should have enough personnel to supply the needs of children, adults and pregnant women who are in need of vaccination. The midwives and BHW should know the storage vaccines. Policies and practices. They have its own duties and responsibilities to a person with proper handling of vaccines thru cold chain management and of safe and effective vaccine storage. All personnel responsible for handling vaccines should be familiar with standard procedure regarding cold chain method. Lastly, the important measures gleaned on the problems identified by this were formulated.