Toward ensuring the financial sustainability of EPI

This is the case even if a very high rate of economic growth is assumed and even if these countries were to devote an unrealistically high proportion of GDP to EPI. Although the current cost of about $15 per fully immunized child is relatively cost-effective, EPI interventions are becoming increasingly complicated and expensive, and it cannot be guaranteed that donors will continue to cover these costs. This paper identifies some simple financial strategies to help improve the potential for sustaining EPI, maximizing EPI"s investment value, and safeguarding against a future resurgence of the diseases that are now well on the way to being controlled. Three primary recommendations are made. (1) Support should be allocated based on both need and potential long-term returns on investment. (2) A long-term financing strategy for EPI should be included along with the technical strategies. (3) The definition of roles for donor agencies, technical agencies, and developing country governments should be improved to facilitate working towards the financial sustainability of EPI.