The aims of a vaccination programme are to:

1. Protect the individual that receives the vaccine
2. Prevent outbreaks of disease
3. Eradicate infectious diseases world-wide

We can either use selective immunisation strategies (vaccinating those at highest risk from a disease) or universal immunisation strategies (vaccinating everyone) to achieve these aims.

We also need to conduct surveillance of:

• the occurence and spread of a disease
• the efficacy and safety of the vaccines

These are ongoing processes that help us answer the following questions:

• Is there a need for the vaccination programme?
• Is there a safe and effective vaccine available?
• What other isues need to be considered? e.g. cost, cultural attitudes, production and logistics.

One the vaccination programme has been implemented the following are monitored:

• Incidence of the disease
• Vaccine coverage
• Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFIs)
• Adverse Drug Reactions
• Vaccine Safety

Vaccine timeline