Effectiveness of the Expanded Programme on Immunization.

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) aims at the reduction of morbidity and mortality from vaccinepreventable diseases through the provision of immunization to women and children. Specifically, EPI has set as its target the development of services which, by 1990, can provide three doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (OPT) vaccine, three doses of polio vaccine, and one dose each of vaccine against measles and tuberculosis, for all the children in the world prior to their first birthday. In addition, where neonatal tetanus persists, the EPI aims to assure that every pregnant woman has been adequately immunized against tetanus. Programme effectiveness is measured by immunization coverage and by the incidence of the target diseases. Information on these two indicators is provided by national programmes to WHO Regional Offices and forwarded to EPI, Geneva. Feedback of tabulated data to national programmes generally occurs at least twice a year through the report of the EPI Global Advisory Group and through publication of a status report in the Weekly Epidemiological Record.