The immunization programme that saved millions of lives

Abstract

What started as an ambitious effort to tackle six vaccine-preventable diseases has become one of the world's most successful public health programmes. This month the Expanded Programme on Immunization marks its 40 years. Michael Reid and Fiona Fleck report.

Community health worker prepares to vaccinate a child in Niger.

The vaccine vial monitor – the image on labels of a square inside a circle – contains heat-sensitive material that registers cumulative heat exposure over time