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Childhood vaccinations Front Shop Staff: Module 5, 2026
The aim of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) is to ensure that every child has access to life-saving vaccines, regardless of where they live or what their financial circumstances may be.
When the EPI was launched in 1974, it focused on protecting all children against six childhood illnesses, namely tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and measles.
Over the past 50 years, the EPI program has grown, and new vaccines have been added, providing protection against many more diseases.
This module will enable you, as a front shop member of staff, to:
- Have a good knowledge of the common vaccine-preventable diseases affecting children.
- Understand:
- How these infections are transmitted (spread from one person to another)
- Their incubation period (the time between when a person is exposed to the microorganism and when they first show signs and symptoms of being sick)
- Contagious periods (the period when a sick person can spread the disease to others)
- Understand the basic principles of immunity.
- Be familiar with the vaccines routinely administered to children in South Africa in both the public and private sectors.
- Be more confident in promoting childhood immunisations and help to support the goal of “leaving no child behind”.
- Apply the five-step approach during everyday interactions with customers: Ask, encourage, remind, reassure and refer.
If you would like to participate in the 2026 PSSA/Insight Pharmacy Staff CE programme, please contact Glynis at Insight Medicine Information on 011 706 6939 or email: cpd@insightmed.co.za
