Beyond expectations: 40 years of EPI.

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was established by the World Health Assembly in 1974 at a time of great optimism for public health. The imminent certification for the eradication of smallpox was taken as proof of the power of vaccines- delivered in well-managed programmes- to permanently improve the world. 1 When EPI was established- only about 5% of the world's children were protected from six diseases (polio- diphtheria- tuberculosis- pertussis- measles- and tetanus) targeted by fou ...