Abstract
The early impact of the expanded programme on immunization (EPI) in reducing morbidity from diphtheria was evaluated in the province of Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. Since 1980, coverage of two doses of diphtheria—tetanus—pertussis (DTP) immunization has been greater than 60% in Yogyakarta. The morbidity rate for diphtheria for children aged 0-4 years decreased from 4.3 per 100 000 population in 1978-79 to 1.7 per 100 000 in 1981-82, a reduction of 60%. In contrast, the morbidity rate for children aged 5-9 years remained relatively constant over the 5-year period. The EPI programme has therefore had a demonstrable effect on 0-4-year-olds in Yogyakarta.
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