This publication is one of a series of practical field guides produced by the Pan American Health Organization with best practice guidance for immunisation programmes in the region. This guide describes the strategies that have made the elimination of neonatal tetanus in the Americas possible, highlighting the progress made in surveillance to identify and monitor high-risk areas as well as immunisation activities geared towards women of childbearing age who live in those areas. Sections cover: epidemiology, clinical aspects, case definitions and investigations, surveillance, data analysis, control in high risk areas, programme monitoring, vaccine storage and supply.

This practical guide contains seven modules targeted at district and health facility staff. It intends to meet the demands to improve immunization services so as to reach more infants in a sustainable way, building upon the experiences of polio eradication. It includes materials adapted from polio on planning, monitoring and use of data to improve the service, that can be used at any level. Revising the manual has been a team exercise. There are contributions from a large number of experts, organizations and institutions. This new edition has seven modules. Several new vaccines that have become more readily available and used in recent years have been added. Also the section on integration with other health interventions has been expanded as exciting opportunities and experiences have become evident in the years following the previous edition. Module 1: Target diseases and vaccines Module 2: The vaccine cold chain Module 3: Ensuring safe injections Module 4: Microplanning for reaching every community Module 5: Managing an immunization session Module 6: Monitoring and surveillance Module 7: Partnering with communities.