Beijing, 25 April, 2011 – "I closed my eyes and didn't look at the needle." Said eight-year-old Tao Tao, a second grade boy in suburban Beijing, who is a little nervous before receiving a shot in his arm for vaccination.
 ©UNICEF/CHINA/2011
Mr Chen Xianyi (mid), senior officer from the Ministry of Health, Ms Gillian Mellsop (2nd from right), UNICEF Representative to China Office, Ms Yang Lan (2nd from left), UNICEF Ambassador in China, and representatives from WHO and Beijing Municipal Health Bureau attend the launching ceremony of the National Vaccination Week on April 25th, 2011. |
But he knows this will help protect him and ensure that his dream of "becoming a company chief executive who can donate money to help people in the disaster-affected areas" will be realized. He is a migrant child from Hunan Province who now lives in Xinfadi, the largest farm produce wholesale market of Beijing.
The Ministry of Health today launched a national vaccination initiative at an event hosted in Xinfadi Primary School to ensure that children, especially those affected by migration like Tao Tao and those living in remote areas can be fully vaccinated against preventable diseases.
Leading international agencies working on immunization in China, UNICEF and WHO, are helping to support the call for maximum participation in the national campaign. Yang Lan, UNICEF Ambassador in China, was also on hand to support the nationwide immunization promotion effort.
From today, a week-long intensive advocacy campaign themed "Vaccination, Healthy Baby", is to disseminate key messages on immunization to the public. This is the first time China has joined other countries and regions to celebrate the week.
"The Expanded Progamme of Immunisation (EPI), first introduced in 1978 in China has protected hundreds of millions of children against diseases such as polio, neonatal tetanus, measles and other diseases that continue to threaten children elsewhere." Ms Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF Representative to China Office said.
Now all Chinese children can be offered vaccines against 12 infectious diseases free of charge. Aggressive vaccination initiatives have kept China polio-free and have dramatically reduced the rate of Hepatitis B and measles. As China nears the elimination of neonatal tetanus and measles, and strives to improve coverage of recently introduced vaccines, more intensive efforts are required.
 ©UNICEF/CHINA/2011
Ms Gillian Mellsop (2nd from left), UNICEF Representative to China Office and Ms Yang Lan (1st from left), UNICEF Ambassador in China, join students of Xinfadi Primary School to celebrate a week of intensive advocacy campaigns on child immunization, on Apirl 25th, 2011. |
According to the Ministry of Health, although the national average vaccination rate has reached 90%, there are still nearly 1 million children not timely immunized, and circulation of measles infection are still reported in pocket areas, especially in the lesser-developed western regions and urban migrant communities. China remains in the top ten countries worldwide with the largest unvaccinated populations.
"All unvaccinated children carry with them a higher risk of disease and a higher risk of transmission of disease to others…China must continue to strive to vaccinate all of its children, and it is immensely important that the general public and the media support this effort." Ms Gillian Mellsop said.
"When my children were young, I kept their vaccination history booklets at home, which told me the immunizations they received and which I should take them to get." Ms. Yang Lan, well known broadcast journalist and UNICEF China Ambassador told the children and parents at the launching ceremony.
"With good health, there are a rainbow of opportunities for you to realize your dreams. Here I appeal to every child and parent in the Country to put vaccination high on your family agenda. When your dreams all come true, I will be there to cheer for you." Yang Lan said.
In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China. Since then, one of UNICEF China's top priorities has been to support the Government's immunization programme development, including the provision of cold chains, IT equipment and training of health staff in remote western regions and migrant communities. UNICEF will continue to work with government partners to ensure the full and quality coverage of child immunisation.
About UNICEF in China:
UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the war of liberation. In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China to support child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.
For further information, please contact:
Dale Rutstein, UNICEF China, +86 13910973801, drutstein@unicef.org or
Liu Li, UNICEF China, +86 13701066671, liliu@unicef.org
You will receive information and updates about children’s rights and UNICEF’s work.
