Burundi : Medical Practices - Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) - Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS

The main mission of the EPI is to protect all children against vaccine-preventable diseases. Burundi started its program in 1980 with vaccines against diphtheria, tuberculosis, whooping cough, measles, polio and tetanus. This program was very successful at the country level so that in less than ten years the country had coverage of over 80% for all these antigens. In 2004, two new vaccines were introduced namely the vaccine against viral hepatitis B and haemophilus influenzae type b in two injections. During 2005, this form was replaced by Pentavalent which is given in a single injection, combining liquid DTP-Hep B and lyophilized Hib.