The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is a global initiative launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974 to ensure that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to essential vaccines. The primary aim of the EPI is to prevent mortality and morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, among others.
Key components of the EPI include:
- Vaccine Availability: Ensuring that safe and effective vaccines are available to all children.
- Accessibility: Providing vaccination services that are easily accessible to populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
- Public Awareness: Educating communities about the importance of immunization to promote vaccine uptake.
- Integration with Health Services: Incorporating immunization into broader primary health care systems to enhance service delivery.
- Monitoring and Surveillance: Establishing systems to monitor vaccination coverage and disease incidence to inform public health strategies.
Over the years, the EPI has expanded to include new vaccines and has adapted to respond to emerging health challenges, continually aiming to reduce the burden of infectious diseases globally.
1 answer