Driving more WHO-recommended vaccines in the National Immunization Program: Issues and challenges in China

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Dec 31;19(1):2194190. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2194190. Epub 2023 Apr 26.

Abstract

WHO-recommended vaccines substantially prevent and control vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), but their inclusion differs among countries and regions. We reviewed the application for WHO-recommended vaccines in China and described the concerns and obstacles in driving the inclusion of more vaccines into China's NIP, including immunization strategies, financial barriers, vaccination services, and behavioral and social supply-side and demand-side factors. China has made significant efforts, however, they may not be sufficient until the inclusion of more WHO-recommended vaccines in the National Immunization Program (NIP), ensuring that the vaccination encompasses the whole life course of individuals, establishment of more trustworthy vaccination finance and procurement, increasing vaccine development, optimizing vaccine demand forecasts, improving the accessibility and equity of vaccination services, capturing the key points of behavioral and social drivers of vaccination on the demand side, and establishing holistic prevention and control from a public health perspective.

Keywords: National Immunization Program; disease; vaccine-preventable diseases; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunization Programs
  • Vaccination*
  • Vaccines*
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Vaccines

Grants and funding

This review was supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Donation Project [grant no. OPP1216666] and National Social Science Fund of China [grant no. 20&ZD201].