The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) aims to increase access to routine immunization services for children across Pakistan. Each year, it targets nearly 7.5 million children across the country, and close to 5.5 million pregnant women against tetanus, with the goal of averting childhood mortality in Pakistan.
Launched in 1978 in partnership with WHO, Pakistan’s EPI programme was established to protect children by immunizing them against childhood diseases such as tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and measles. Additional vaccines have been introduced over the years, including hepatitis B in 2002, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in 2009, pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) in 2012, inactivated polio vaccine in 2015, rotavirus vaccine in 2017 and typhoid conjugated vaccine (TCV) in 2019 (in Sindh) and in 2021 (in Punjab and Islamabad). In 2021, the measles vaccine was replaced by the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine which also protects against rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The typhoid vaccine was fully introduced across the country in 2022.
Every 10 seconds, vaccinations save a life. In the last 50 years, vaccines have saved 154 million people across the world – that’s more than 3 million a year or 6 people every minute.
WHO will continue to stand with Pakistan to reach everyone with lifesaving vaccines, no matter who they are or where they live.
Pakistan’s EPI vaccination schedule
