China's robust vaccination service network has helped drive vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles to historically low levels, but more efforts are needed to diversify and upgrade the types of vaccines available to the public, according to health officials and experts.

Xi Jingjing, spokeswoman for the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, said the vaccination rate under China's national immunization program has consistently remained above 90 percent in recent years. Incidence rates of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, meningococcal meningitis, Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis A have dropped to historically low levels.

"The nation has also achieved the elimination of neonatal tetanus," she said at a news conference held ahead of this year's National Children's Vaccination Day, observed annually on April 25.

Despite a surge in measles cases across several countries in recent years, largely driven by declines in vaccination coverage and immunity gaps, China has kept its measles level low.

"China's immune barrier has remained solid, thanks to a vaccination rate of over 90 percent for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine among eligible children for many years," said Feng Zijian, a professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology's School of Public Health and Emergency Management.

Feng added that local authorities have responded promptly to measles flare-ups in some regions, bringing small outbreaks under control through containment measures and catch-up vaccinations.

Yu Wenzhou, chief physician at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said a key aspect to preventing missed vaccinations is managing immunization for migrant children and left-behind children of migrant workers.

"A national channel for exchanging vaccination information is now in stable operation, enabling different provinces to send and share individual vaccination records," he said.

Yu added that the cross-provincial transfer of electronic vaccination records has been used 730,000 times, greatly improving the continuity and accuracy of vaccination information for migrant children and reducing the risk of missed vaccinations.

He also stressed that vaccinations provide immunity not only for children but also for adults and the elderly.

For example, the human papillomavirus vaccine, which was added to the national immunization program in 2025, can help prevent cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is recommended for people aged 9 to 45.

People aged 6 months and older can receive the influenza vaccine to prevent the flu and reduce the risk of severe illness. Older adults can lower the risk of disease by getting pneumococcal and shingles vaccines.

Feng said, in the future, while maintaining high vaccination rates for vaccines in the national program, it will be important to expand coverage across the entire life cycle to meet the needs of different populations.

Potential vaccines for consideration include the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and vaccines against chickenpox and rotavirus, according to experts.

He added that it is also important to accelerate research and development of multivalent and combination vaccines that can protect against multiple pathogens or infections.

wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn