Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)

The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is an essential part of a comprehensive Primary Health Care (PHC) package. The Program focuses to control the occurrence of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) among children. The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) contributes towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on reducing child morbidity and mortality. This Program also focuses to provide protection against Tetanus to pregnant and child bearing age women.

The Program was established in 1976 as a pilot project with 6 basic antigens (BCG, Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Measles) in Pakistan. Currently there are 12 different antigens are offered in the program.

PPHI Sindh has been working with EPI Program (since 2019) in two districts; Dadu and Khairpur.

• To increase equitable coverage of immunization services against vaccine preventable disease (VPD)
• To decrease VPD associated morbidity and mortality
• To improve immunization services through expansion of service delivery and cold chain