Universal Childhood Immunization: a realistic yet not achieved goal

Abstract

The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was launched in Ethiopia in 1980 with the goal
of achieving universal child immunization by 1990 (1). However, that goal remained unmet
to date. The EPI was launched globally with a more or less the same goal in all target
countries. The WHO African regional office estimated that about five million children were
un-immunized for DPT3 in 2007. Thus, the challenge of meeting the EPI goal is not only
limited to a few countries, many countries in Africa are struggling to meet the immunization
targets.