China's national vaccination program has achieved high coverage among eligible children, bringing great benefits to public health and helping control infectious diseases, according to the Health Immunization Department at the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDCPA).
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Li Xiaocui, deputy director of the NDCPA, highlighted the country’s ongoing efforts and accomplishments in immunization.
Over the years, the vaccination rate for eligible children has remained consistently above 90 percent, playing a pivotal role in related disease prevention and control across the nation.
China has made remarkable progress in combating infectious diseases, including the eradication of smallpox, which was achieved nearly 20 years ahead of the global target. The country has also maintained a 30-year record of no locally transmitted polio cases, and diphtheria has been absent for almost two decades.
The hepatitis B vaccination strategy for newborns has been especially effective, reducing the positive rate of hepatitis B surface antigens in children under five by more than 90 percent, preventing millions from contracting the virus.
Furthermore, China has achieved the elimination of neonatal tetanus, and the incidence of measles remains below one case per million. Diseases such as hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis, and meningitis have also seen historically low levels.
Li emphasized that the government is focusing on four key areas to continue strengthening immunization efforts.
"We are focusing on four key areas. First, we are actively adjusting the national immunization strategy to enhance both quality and capacity, while also optimizing the current vaccination schedule. Second, we are working to ensure the effective implementation of immunization programs nationwide, maintaining high vaccination coverage," Li said.
Li stressed the ongoing work to enhance immunization services.
"Third, we are committed to enhancing the service capabilities of grassroots professional teams, accelerating the adoption of digital immunization certificates, and facilitating the cross-province sharing of immunization information. Fourth, we are advancing the development of combination, multivalent and new vaccines, guiding and supporting vaccine research and industrial application of sci-tech advances to meet the demand for disease prevention and vaccine, which will support the adjustment of the national immunization strategy," Li added.
China’s national immunization program marks key health milestones
