Teaching on Immunization in Medical Schools in Kenya

1
Teaching on Immunization in Medical Schools in
Kenya

• Elizabeth Obimbo MMed, MPH
• Department of Paediatrics
• University of Nairobi

2
Medical Schools, Kenya

• University of Nairobi MBChB, BPharm
• Moi University - MBChB
• Medical Training Centres - RCO

3
UON - MBChB students

• Year 3 Immunology
• Taught basics of human immunology
• Natural and acquired immunity
• Humoral and Cell mediated immunity
• Mechanisms of human immune response to various
  antigens.

4
UON - MBChB students

• Year 4 Vaccines and Immunization
• Taught during 11 week rotation through
  Paediatrics and Child health. 40 hours
  dedicated to child health.
• Self teaching (study reference material)
• Didactic teaching (1 hour)
• Practicals (6-8 hours)

5
UON - MBChB students

• KEPI Immunization Manual for medical students and
  physicians which covers
• EPI origin, aims, programs.
• Vaccine management cold chain,
• EPI immunizable diseases Tb, polio, diphtheria,
  pertussis, tetanus, measles, hepatitis B
• EPI vaccine composition, handling, indications,
  contraindications, age of administration, adverse
  effects
• Missed opportunities for immunization
• Social mobilization

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UON - MBChB students

• Practical
• Visit central store
• Visit MCH clinic, observe cold chain, administer
  vaccines, counsel mothers, see recording systems.

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UON - MBChB students

• Didactic
• Minimal time devoted to didactics
• Review specific vaccines
• KEPI vaccines
• Non-KEPI including pneumococcal, meningococcal,
  yellow fever, typhoid, cholera, varicella,
  hepatitis A, rabies etc.

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UON - B Pharm students

• Taught in final year, 4 hours.
• Content of vaccinology course
• History of vaccinology
• Basics of human immunology

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UON - B Pharm students

• 3. Classification of vaccines
• Advantages and disadvantages of different
  vaccine types (live, killed, toxoids, antigens)
• Specific vaccines KEPI vaccines
• EPI
• Eradication of polio, progress on measles

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Moi University MBChB

• Teaching of immunization is integrated into
  practical exposures
• Community pediatrics, attend MCH clinics,
  hands-on learning
• Clinical attachment to district hospital during
  final year, IMCI practice.

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Medical Training Centres Registered clinical
officer training

• RCO backbone of health care delivery.
• Immunization taught during basic training, and
  during pediatric specialization training.
• Cover KEPI vaccines, theory and practical
  administration.
• Cover vaccine handling and cold storage at health
  facility level.

12
Gaps

• KEPI manual needs updating to include HiB, Yellow
  fever, Tetravalent and Pentavalent vaccines.

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Thank you!