ABSTRACT
This study was intended to highlight the program of vaccination in the first year of life against the Expanded Program on Immunization [EPI] - target diseases and to determine the trend of these diseases in Abu Dhabi during 1984-1989. The data were collected from annual reports of Ministry of health. This retrospective study pointed out to the following results : [1] The average vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life against EPI-Target diseases increased gradually during 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989. [2] The vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life using BCG and measles vaccines are increased significantly [p < 0.001] during 1985-1989 compared with 1984. [3] The vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life using OPV and DPT at the third dose are increased significantly [p < 0.05] during 1987- 1989 compared with 1984. [4] The reported cases of measles and its incidence rate consequently decreased during 1988-1989 compared with 1987 and the differences are statistically significant [p < 0.001]. The reported cases of diphtheria and its incidence rate show significant increase [p < 0.01] during 1988 compared with 1984 other EPI target diseases do not show any statistically significant difference [p > 0.05] during 1985-1989 compared with 1984. Based on this study it can be concluded that with increase in average vaccination coverage [percent] from 58.5% in 1984 to 82.9% in 1989, the number of reported cases of EPI target diseases decreased