In which year was the Expanded Programme on Immunisation initiated in India?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

Explanation

The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) was officially launched in India in 1978 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
This national program was adopted following the global launch of EPI by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974.
The initial goal of EPI in India was to reduce mortality and morbidity from six common vaccine-preventable diseases: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Tuberculosis, and Typhoid.

Option A: 1985 is the year the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) was launched, which was a modification and expansion of the earlier EPI.
Option C: 1995 marks the initiation of the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme, a specific campaign aimed at eradicating poliomyelitis.
Option D: No major national immunization program was launched in 1968. The global EPI framework by WHO was not created until 1974, and India's national program followed later.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of Immunization Programs in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of immunization programs helps community health nurses appreciate the evolution of public health strategies and vaccine schedules in India.
Knowledge of these key dates is crucial for public health planning, reporting, and educating communities about the long-standing success and importance of vaccination.
What if the question asked for the launch of the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)? The correct answer would be 1985, as UIP was the successor to EPI with expanded goals and vaccine coverage (adding Measles and removing Typhoid).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which asks for the specific launch year of the 'Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI)' in India.
This is a factual recall question common in the Community Health Nursing subject.
Mentally differentiate between the various major immunization programs in India: EPI, Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), and Pulse Polio.
Recall the timeline of these programs. The EPI was the foundational program launched in 1978.
Evaluate the options based on this timeline. 1985 corresponds to the launch of UIP, and 1995 to Pulse Polio, making them incorrect distractors for the EPI launch.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 124-126

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 120-122

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.