Immunization
Introduction
When the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was launched in 1974, less than five per cent of the world's children were immunized during their first year of life against six killer diseases — diphtheria, measles, pertussis, polio, tetanus and tuberculosis. In 2007, immunization coverage for each of the six diseases reached over 80 per cent and some 118 countries achieved 90 per cent or more DTP3 coverage.
Key facts
Estimates of immunization coverage in 2008 for the major vaccine-preventable diseases are:
- 89 per cent of infants immunized against tuberculosis;
- 82 per cent of infants received 3 doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP);
- 69 per cent of infants received 3 doses of hepatitis B;
- 28 per cent of infants received 3 doses of Hib;
- 83 per cent of infants received at least one dose of measles vaccine;
- 83 per cent of infants received at least 3 doses of polio vaccine;
- 81 per cent of newborns in the developing world are protected against tetanus.
UNICEF’s role in immunization
Immunization against childhood illnesses is an essential part of improving the health and well-being of children. As part of its overall commitment to strengthen primary health care systems, UNICEF prioritizes expanding and sustaining immunization services to reach all children with all appropriate vaccines.
Immunization is among the most successful, most equitable and most cost-effective public health interventions reaching four out of five children globally. UNICEF builds upon the success of immunization, using it as a platform to deliver other preventive and curative health services, such as vitamin A supplements to prevent malnutrition, insecticide-treated nets for protection against malaria and de-worming medicine for intestinal worms.
Every year, UNICEF Supply Division purchases vaccines and other immunization supplies reaching 56 per cent of children around the world, making it the leading global agency procuring vaccines for children. For 2008, UNICEF procured about 2.6 billion doses of vaccine valued at approximately $633 million.
Updated – January 2010
