EXPANDED PROGRAM ON IMMUNIZATION (EPI)
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the Philippines, managed by the Department of Health (DOH),
provides mandatory and free basic immunization services for infants and children up to 5 years of age at all
government health centers and hospitals.
The program has significantly expanded beyond the original six diseases to include new, life-saving vaccines.
Here is the current routine immunization schedule in the Philippines, listing the vaccines and their typical number of
doses for infants (under 1 year old):
Philippine EPI Schedule for Infants (0 to 12 Months)
DOSES
AGE OF VACCINE NAME
DISEASES PREVENTED (PRIMARY
CHILD (ABBREVIATION)
SERIES)
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-
At Birth Severe forms of Tuberculosis (TB) 1 Dose
Guérin)
Hepatitis B (HepB) Birth Hepatitis B infection (to prevent chronic infection,
At Birth 1 Dose
Dose liver cirrhosis, and cancer)
Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and
Pentavalent 1 (DPT-HepB-
6 Weeks diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type 1 of 3 Doses
Hib)
b (Hib)
6 Weeks Oral Polio Vaccine 1 (OPV) Poliomyelitis (Polio) 1 of 3 Doses
Pneumococcal Conjugate Pneumonia and Meningitis caused by
6 Weeks 1 of 3 Doses
Vaccine 1 (PCV) Pneumococcus
Pentavalent 2 (DPT-HepB-
10 Weeks Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, HepB, Hib 2 of 3 Doses
Hib)
10 Weeks Oral Polio Vaccine 2 (OPV) Poliomyelitis 2 of 3 Doses
Pneumococcal Conjugate
10 Weeks Pneumonia and Meningitis 2 of 3 Doses
Vaccine 2 (PCV)
DOSES
AGE OF VACCINE NAME
DISEASES PREVENTED (PRIMARY
CHILD (ABBREVIATION)
SERIES)
Pentavalent 3 (DPT-HepB- 3 of 3 Doses
14 Weeks Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, HepB, Hib
Hib) (Final Primary)
14 Weeks Oral Polio Vaccine 3 (OPV) Poliomyelitis 3 of 3 Doses
Inactivated Polio Vaccine 1 of 2 Doses
14 Weeks Poliomyelitis
(IPV) (Injection)
Pneumococcal Conjugate 3 of 3 Doses
14 Weeks Pneumonia and Meningitis
Vaccine 3 (PCV) (Final Primary)
Measles-Containing Vaccine
9 Months Measles (often includes Mumps and Rubella) 1 of 2 Doses
1 (MCV 1) or MMR
DOSES FOR OLDER CHILDREN AND BOOSTERS
The EPI also includes booster doses to ensure long-lasting protection:
VACCINE NAME
AGE OF CHILD PURPOSE DOSES
(ABBREVIATION)
Measles, Mumps, Rubella Second dose/Booster for Measles, Mumps,
12–15 Months 1 Dose
(MMR 2) Rubella
12–18 Months DTP Booster Booster for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis 1 Dose
Grade 1 (or 4–7 Final pre-adolescent booster for Diphtheria
DTP/Td Booster 1 Dose
years) and Tetanus (and Pertussis)
Grade 7 (or 11–
Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Booster for Tetanus and Diphtheria 1 Dose
12 years)
Grade 4 Human Papillomavirus Protects against cervical cancer (HPV types) 2 Doses (6-12
(HPV) in girls months apart)
VACCINE NAME
AGE OF CHILD PURPOSE DOSES
(ABBREVIATION)
Important Notes:
1. Pentavalent Vaccine: This single injection combines five vaccines: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus,
Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
2. Polio: The Philippines uses a combination of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV,
an injection) to provide both gut immunity and long-term systemic protection.
3. Measles: While the basic EPI requires two doses of an MCV (Measles-Containing Vaccine), the second
dose (MMR 2) is often given at 12–15 months.
ADDITIONAL VACCINES
1. Pneumonia (Pneumococcal) Vaccine
Two main types of pneumococcal vaccines are used: PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) and PPSV23
(Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine). The schedule depends on age and health status.
Number of Doses
Age Group Vaccine Type Notes
(Primary Series)
4 Doses
Infants/Children PCV13, PCV15, Given at 2, 4, 6 months, and a final booster at 12–15
(Routine
(Under 5 years) or PCV20 months.
Schedule)
If PCV15 is used, it should be followed by 1 dose of
Adults (Routine) (Age PCV15 or
1 Dose (Lifetime) PPSV23 one year later. If PCV20 or PCV21 is used, no
65+) PCV20/PCV21
further doses are needed.
People with certain chronic conditions (e.g., chronic
Adults (Risk Factors) PCV15 or
1 Dose heart/lung disease, diabetes) or immunocompromising
(Age 19–64) PCV20/PCV21
conditions.
2. Flu (Influenza) Vaccine
The influenza vaccine is needed annually because the circulating virus strains change yearly.
Number of
Age Group Notes
Doses
2 Doses (at least 4 weeks apart) are needed in their very first flu season if
Children (Ages 6 1 or 2
they have never been vaccinated before. 1 Dose is needed every year
months to 8 years) Doses
thereafter.
Children (Age 9 and
1 Dose 1 Dose is sufficient every year, regardless of previous vaccination history.
older)
Adolescents and
1 Dose 1 Dose is recommended annually for everyone 6 months and older.
Adults
3. Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine
The varicella vaccine is a standard two-dose series.
Number of Doses
Age Group Interval Between Doses
(Primary Series)
Children (Routine) 2 Doses 1st dose: 12–15 months. 2nd dose: 4–6 years
Number of Doses
Age Group Interval Between Doses
(Primary Series)
of age (can be given earlier, with a minimum
interval of 3 months).
Adolescents/Adults (Unvaccinated) 2 Doses Given at least 4 weeks (28 days) apart.
Note: If a person has a documented history of
having had chickenpox, the vaccine is generally not
needed.
4. Hepatitis B (HepB) Vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine is a multi-dose series that provides long-term, lifelong protection.
Number of Doses
Age Group Typical Schedule (Doses at) Notes
(Primary Series)
The 4-dose series is common when
3 Doses Birth, 1–2 months, and 6 months of HepB is given as part of a
Infants/Children
(sometimes 4) age. combination vaccine (like the
Pentavalent shot).
0, 1, and 6 months (Doses given at
Adolescents/Adults
3 Doses 0, 1, and 6 months after the first
(Standard)
dose).
A newer vaccine (e.g., Heplisav-B)
Adults (Accelerated allows for a 2-dose series, given 1
2 Doses
Schedule) month apart, for adults aged 18 and
older.