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BEIJING, 17 September 2010 – Almost one week into its largest ever vaccination effort, China's campaign to protect over 100 million children against measles is progressing very well, according to comments made today by UNICEF's Representative to China, Dr Yin Yin Nwe. The nationwide campaign is being conducted in response to persistent outbreaks of measles, a highly contagious infectious disease responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths around the world each year. 

"China's efforts to eliminate local transmission of measles are both necessary and highly commendable. UNICEF has participated in an international monitoring team assessing the conduct of this campaign, and I am very happy to report that it is progressing safely, and is highly likely to be very effective”, said Dr Nwe after a briefing at the Ministry of Health today.

Preparations for the campaign have been hampered by adverse publicity, including false rumours related to vaccine safety, and parents' concerns about vaccination of children who have previously received the measles vaccine.

Dr Nwe continued: "China's Ministry of Health has made an enormous effort to prepare a safe campaign, and to communicate the need for all eligible children to participate. I am aware of the rumours and the concerns of parents, but all the vaccines being used have an excellent safety and efficacy record. As recent measles outbreaks in China have clearly demonstrated, some children remain susceptible even after receiving routine measles vaccinations. It is not possible for health authorities to test each and every child for immunity, and there is no harm in vaccinated children receiving an additional dose. In addition, thousands of migrant children who may not have been adequately vaccinated are now resident in urban areas, so this campaign needs to include ALL eligible children, to protect the population against the measles virus. Similar mass campaigns have been conducted safely and effectively in many countries, including amongst populations of children with high rates of previous vaccination.”"

UNICEF attended the briefing this morning at the Ministry of Health, addressed by Dr Carlos Castillo of the Pan-American Health Organisation, leader of an international observer team which has visited many campaign sites in Shanghai, Henan and Sha'anxi over the last five days. Dr Castillo gave a very positive report on the conduct of the campaign to Ministry of Health Vice-Minister Yin Li and other experts. In particular, he commended the cooperation between health, education, public security and drug administration authorities, careful registration and screening of children's suitability for vaccination and procedures to deal with any adverse events following vaccination. The campaign will continue officially until September 20, but follow up activities to mop-up children not yet vaccinated will continue for several more weeks.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that affects both children and young adults. While most individuals recover from measles infection, some may suffer serious complications or death. In 2009, more than 52,000 people in China were reported to have contracted measles, accounting for about 86% of the measles cases in WHO's Western Pacific region.

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