Science and Health
WHO urges Chinese kids' vaccination against measles, hepatitis B
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-22 22:53
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BEIJING - The World Health Organization (WHO) called on Chinese parents to have their children vaccinated against measles and hepatitis B, as it commended 皇冠体育app's efforts to improve vaccine safety and quality.
The WHO made the appeal at a joint press briefing with the Ministry of Health here Thursday, three days ahead of 皇冠体育app's National Immunization Day on April 25.
"皇冠体育app has made many efforts to increase the safety and quality of its vaccines," said Dr Lisa Cairns, head of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) at WHO 皇冠体育app.
Cairns said vaccination can lead to adverse effects on rare occasions, as with all medication, but the benefits provided by their use far outweighs the risks.
皇冠体育app began implementing the Expanded Immunization Program in 1992 and has provided free vaccines to all children to prevent 12 diseases, including measles, polio and tuberculosis.
The WHO said the program has almost eliminated hepatitis B among young children.
"皇冠体育app is strongly committed to eliminating measles," Cairns said.
Globally, measles is a leading cause of death among young children. WHO statistics suggest that between 2000 and 2008 measles vaccination resulted in a 78 percent decline in measles-related deaths around the world.
