Turkey National Immunization Program (Genisletilmis Bagisiklama Programi)

Turkey's Expanded Immunization Program (Genisletilmis Bagisiklama Programi), launched in 1981, is the country's national childhood vaccination program, established initially to protect against six vaccine-preventable diseases and expanded and accelerated through the 1980s under Ministry of Health direction. The program aims to reach vulnerable age groups before infection occurs and targets a 97 percent vaccination rate for each antigen nationwide, a goal Turkey achieved by 2015, and it continues to be updated to address vaccination needs arising from pilgrimages, tourism and refugee movements.