Importancia de las vacunas en Salud Pública: hitos y nuevos desafíos

The creation of the Immunization Program in the world has been one of the most valued public health strategies and one that contributes to equity. This Program was launched by the World Health Organization in 1974, later in 1977 it was implemented by the Panamerican Health Organization for the countries of the Americas region and in Chile since 1979, making available a scheme against 6 immunopreventable diseases. It is a program of Public Good of national coverage, free for all the target population for each of the vaccines, which has political support, independent of changes in government and 100% national financing. One of the corner stone of success of the programs is to achieve high vaccination coverage. In the case of measles, given the high rate of reproduction of the agent and its disease condition in the phase of elimination, coverage of more than 95% its needed. Although the main indirect indicator of program development is the third dose of DPT (Difteria, Acellular Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine. Although 45 years of the existence of Immunization Programs have passed, five of the Immunopreventable Diseases are part of the 10 main risks to world health. This article develops part of the history of the Expanded Program of Immunizations of America and Chile since its genesis, highlighting the importance of the 12 limited components that are part of the activities of the program and the milestones that have experienced the value, benefits of vaccination, such as smallpox, polio, measles. Finally, the threats and possible strategies for overcoming them are pointed out.