• WHO initiated the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974 to ensure global access to life-saving vaccines.

• For this study, mathematical and statistical models were utilized to estimate the impact of vaccination against 14 pathogens covered by EPI, as well as the mortality and morbidity averted for each age group compared to a scenario without vaccination.

• Findings showed the importance of vaccination as: 

1. 154 million deaths were prevented since 1974, with 146 million deaths averted among children under 5 and 101 million among infants under 1.

2. 40% of the decline was observed in global infant mortality and 52% in the African region.

3. On average, 66 years of full health were gained for every death averted, totaling 10.2 billion years of full health.

• As a result, EPI was identified as the largest contributor to improved infant survival over the past five decades.

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