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Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, visited Uganda to commemorate 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), a WHO initiative to provide universal vaccine access. Joined by UNICEF and Ugandan health officials, she witnessed local immunisation efforts and will meet President Museveni to discuss strengthening vaccination services.

Dr Sania Nishtar, the chief executive officer of Gavi, the Global Vaccine Alliance (green dress), in a group photo with ministry of health officials and other guests.

Dr. Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Global Vaccine Alliance, is visiting Uganda for the first time to mark the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

The EPI, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974, is a global initiative aimed at ensuring that every child, regardless of location or socioeconomic background, has access to life-saving vaccines.

On Monday, November 18, Dr. Nishtar, accompanied by Robin Nandy, UNICEF’s Representative to Uganda, and Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ugandan Ministry of Health, visited Katoogo Health Centre III in Mukono District. The visit allowed them to observe the facility’s immunisation day activities firsthand.

Officials from WHO Uganda and the Ministry of Health were also present. According to UNICEF’s post on X (formerly Twitter), the team observed “cold chain procedures ensuring vaccine safety” and engaged with caregivers, village health teams, and health workers at the facility.

Dr Sania Nishtar administering treatment to a child.

The Ministry of Health further announced on X that Dr. Nishtar will meet with President Yoweri Museveni to discuss strategies for enhancing routine immunisation services. Additionally, she will officiate at events commemorating EPI’s 50th anniversary in Mukono District and participate in a high-level dialogue on vaccination with key partners.

Gavi, an international organization established in 2000, focuses on expanding access to essential vaccines for children in the world’s poorest nations. It advocates that immunisation serves as the foundation for a brighter future—ensuring healthier children, stronger economies, and thriving communities.

WHO also emphasizes the importance of vaccines, describing them as vital public health tools that have prevented the spread of deadly diseases and saved countless lives. The 50th anniversary of EPI in 2024 offers an opportunity to celebrate its accomplishments, underscore its impact on global health, and inspire continued efforts to bolster routine immunisation programs.

Launched in response to the smallpox eradication campaign, EPI was established to provide universal access to essential vaccines for children worldwide. Now widely known as the Essential Programme on Immunisation, it aims to protect individuals of all ages through comprehensive vaccination efforts.

Today, every country has a national immunisation programme, and vaccines are globally recognized as some of the safest, most cost-effective, and impactful public health interventions available to prevent mortality and improve quality of life, according to WHO.