ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Over the last decade remarkable success in vaccinating pregnant women and children has been reported by international health agencies. In 1991UNICEF estimated that vaccinations had saved the lives of some three million children, that the number of infants vaccinated had doubled in the past five years, and that 80% of global EPI goals had been established (UNICEF 1991).1 Just as impressive have been reports that infants who are immunized maintain a better chance of survival in general, beyond protection from specific EPI diseases.2 Such data have led to statements being made that: “In a world where so much seems to go wrong, the EPI program is one international initiative that is fulfilling its promise” (Hayden et al. 1989).
