Marking 50 years of EPI’s life-saving impact
22 July 2024 – An event to mark the 50th anniversary of the Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) was hosted by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean on the evening of 17 July 2024, in Cairo, Egypt.
EPI is a cornerstone of global public health since it came into being in 1974, originally as the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Over the decades, the WHO initiative has saved countless lives and protected millions of children from preventable diseases – earning it the new title of “Essential”*.
A wide range of high-level participants were invited to celebrate the momentous occasion. National managers, advisers and representatives of national immunization programmes from across the Region joined members of United Nations agencies, partner organizations and donors at the event.
In her opening remarks to guests, given on her behalf by Dr Rana Hajjeh, Director of Programme Management, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean region Dr Hanan Balkhy described EPI as “a great example of what can be achieved to safeguard the health of our communities when we all work together.” She urged continued support from all stakeholders to enhance immunization efforts across the Region to close gaps and at last achieve regional and global EPI targets.
This call to action aligns with the Regional Director’s new regional flagship initiatives and vision to
