Since its inception in the 1970's, EPI in the Western Pacific has greatly evolved in many areas.
While EPI initially focused on building sustainable routine immunization systems to protect children against common childhood diseases through administration of vaccines during infancy, achieving by 1988 less than 80% coverage of children receiving the basic set of vaccines, in 1988, when the WHO World Health Assembly (WHA) and the Western Pacific RCM endorsed resolutions to eradicate poliomyelitis (WHA 41.28 and WPR/RC39.R15), WPR - EPI embraced a new era of eradication, elimination and accelerated control of specific diseases and as a result of those efforts, the last indigenous case of poliomyelitis occurred in 1997 and poliomyelitis eradication was certified on 29 October 2000. The poliomyelitis-free status has been maintained since although several episodes of imported wild poliovirus occurred and vaccine derived polioviruses (VDPV) emerged in areas of low coverage. None of these events though resulted in sustained poliovirus transmission.
Measles had declined substantially in the Region over the past 25 years and most countries had attained the 90% disease reduction goal set by the 1989 WHO World Health Assembly due to high routine coverage with measles vaccine. The introduction of hepatitis B vaccine into the routine immunization programmes of all countries was almost achieved, with Cambodia and Lao PDR scheduled for September 2001. Neonatal tetanus (NT) had been eliminated in all but five countries of the Region.
In this context regional measles elimination and hepatitis B control goals were established in 2003 by the Regional Committee Meeting (RCM), WHO's governing body in the Western Pacific, and a target year of 2012 was endorsed by the RCM in 2005.
Focusing on providing hepatitis B vaccine birth dose and a second dose measles vaccine was perceived as offering new opportunities to complete the whole schedule. In the broader context of generally strengthening routine immunization services and health systems additional vaccine preventable diseases could be averted, and by fostering collaboration with mother and child health services further contributions can be made to reducing childhood mortality as well as maternal mortality, the latter mainly through prevention of tetanus. Both will support achieving the important respective Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Since the regional twin goals were established, efforts are also being made at regional and national levels to prepare countries to take informed decisions on introduction and expansion of new and underutilized vaccines against Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Rotavirus, rubella, and Japanese encephalitis (JE). Introduction of new and expansion of underutilized vaccines will offer additional opportunities to reduce childhood deaths and progressively protected more people from vaccine preventable diseases.
These new initiatives, build on the established routine immunization systems and the specific regional goals of measles elimination and hepatitis B control by 2012.
[more on this health topic]
Fact sheets
[more fact sheets]
News and press releases
24 September 2009
Achieving measles and hepatitis B targets requires redoubling of efforts—WHO
[full text]
8 December 2008
Keeping the Lao People's Democratic Republic polio-free
[full text]
26 May 2008
WHO receives US$1.3 million for urgent medical aid to China
[full text]
[more news]
Relevant publications and documents
National Immunization Data - EPI Summaries by Country
These fact sheets provide a comprehensive overview of immunization-related statistics for each country in the WHO Western Pacific Region. Among the key indicators are: immunization coverage, surveillance data for vaccine preventable diseases, immunization schedules, as well as indicators for measles elimination and hepatitis B control.
Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Diseases in the Western Pacific Region (16th Meeting - 20-22 June 2006) - Meeting Report
The 16th Meeting of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in the Western Pacific Region was held from 20 to 22 June 2006 in Manila, Philippines. The designation of the TAG was changed from “Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Poliomyelitis Eradication” to “Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Diseases” to reflect the broadened scope and mandate of the TAG in addressing issues related to all vaccine preventable diseases in line with the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS). A special group work session was organized for the first time, with the Member States categorized into three groups based on country’s level of development and performance of national immunization systems. The meeting of the Regional Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) was organized along with the TAG meeting as in previous years.
Review of the Disease Burden of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), and the Use and Cost-effectiveness of Hib Vaccination in the Western Pacific Region
This study aims to critically review and analyse the disease burden due to Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), based on existing studies. It also reviews studies on the impact of the Hib vaccine on child morbidity and mortality, and on the cost-effectiveness of mass vaccination of the eligible population in the Western Pacific Region. In addition, it examines current vaccination policies in the Western Pacific Region for Hib, including the types of vaccines used and vaccination schedules.
Bi-Regional Meeting on Prevention of Childhood Pneumonia and Meningitis by Vaccination (30-31 March 2006) - Meeting Report
Immunization Safety Surveillance: Guidelines for Managers of Immunization Programmes on Reporting and Investigating Adverse Events Following Immunization
A practical guide to the establishment of a surveillance system for monitoring, investigating and responding to adverse events following immunization. Particular attention is given to the special problems that arise during mass campaigns, when an increase in an adverse events can be predicted, the risk of programme error is enhanced, and public and media srcutiny will be high.
[more publications and documents]
Upcoming meetings and events
No meeting/event planned at this time.