The World Health Organization has joined with Chinese health authorities to promote public trust in vaccines, on Child Vaccine Awareness Day. Following a recent scandal that involved improperly stored vaccines illegally sold across the country, the public is still taking their children to clinics for vaccines.
This six-year-old girl is having her 27th injection since she was born. Her vaccine records are kept in a notebook, which is usually kept at the school she goes to. Her grandfather says she hasn't missed any shots.
"I think it's good for children's health. The country is offering them free, I trust their safety," said Shi Shuangyi, Beijing resident.
China started a national immunization program in 1978. 11 vaccines are provided free for children against infections like polio and hepatitis B. Children are given their first shots in the hospitals they are born in, and after that, they can go to community clinics like this one.
In this clinic, all vaccines are stored in fridges like these. Temperatures are kept between 2 to 8 degrees. Before being used, they'll be put into a set of automatic drawers, which is also a fridge itself.
Temperature is key to the safety of a vaccine. And that is monitored here by almost everyone.
"The temperature of these fridges are connected to the District Disease Control and Prevention Center. Once any of them goes wrong, the center will get an alert and some of our doctors' cellphones will ring too," said Wu Lianghong, nurse of Desehng Community Clinic of Beijing.
On Monday, WHO officials joined China's vice health chief Wang Guoqiang to observe the vaccination process.
"After the illegal vaccine case, some in the public have concerns about the quality and storage of domestic vaccines. We hope through this awareness day, they can see the effects of our years-long immunization program, and their confidence will be built," said Wang Guoqiang, deputy director of National Health & Family Planning Commission.
"Vaccinating your child is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your children. The system is good, the quality of the vaccines are very good here in China, so please make every opportunity to bring your children to these clinics and give them the vaccines they need. This is one of the best things you can do," said Dr. Bernhard Schwartlander, WHO representative in China.
China also has some vaccines that parents can pay for out of pocket. Some doctors are recommending putting more of these under the national program, giving children wider access to protection.
